PWHL Expansion: Cities Line Up for Women's Hockey

The PWHL's Rise: A Historic Moment

This past weekend marked a significant moment for the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) as it hosted the largest crowd ever for a professional women's hockey game at the iconic Madison Square Garden. With 18,006 fans in attendance, the league sent a powerful message: it is not just surviving; it is thriving.

The PWHL has indeed become a hot commodity, and as Stan Kasten, an advisory board member, indicated, cities are clamoring for an opportunity to host teams.

“Even though it will cost us more money, we're ready to expand,”

Kasten expressed.

“There is a line of cities eager to have us there whether it's for a couple Takeover Tour games or for a full-time team.”

Cities Ready to Join the Action

The enthusiasm doesn't stop at the Garden. Many markets that hosted the PWHL's Takeover Tour—including locations in Canada like Edmonton and Calgary, and U.S. cities such as Denver and Detroit—have emerged as strong candidates for the league's expansion.

• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Winnipeg
• Quebec City
• Halifax
• Hamilton
• Denver
• Detroit
• Chicago
• Washington

As it looks to expand by 2 to 4 teams by the 2026-27 season, providing a platform for women's hockey across North America, the PWHL is poised to evolve into a more prominent league.

The Path to Expansion

After adding two teams—Vancouver Goldeneyes and Seattle Torrent—this season, the PWHL doesn't just see itself as a fledgling league; they aspire to meet crucial benchmarks that define stability and growth. Key to these aspirations are securing increased sponsorship dollars and a robust national broadcasting deal in the U.S. to enhance media revenue.

Kasten believes that these goals are not just dreams but achievable realities within a short timeframe. The PWHL recently made strides in this realm by broadcasting their games nationally in the U.S., specifically through a partnership with Scripps' ION network. These broadcasts are set to continue during the Walter Cup playoffs.

Attendance Records and Future Growth

This season alone, the PWHL has broken its own attendance records multiple times. The recent event in New York marked the fourth such instance, following sellout crowds in Seattle and Washington. Notably, Boston is about to host its inaugural game at a fully packed TD Garden next weekend, further illustrating the surge in popularity of women's hockey.

As we look ahead, the PWHL's expansion plans will bring the total number of teams potentially to 10 or even 12 by the 2026-27 season. This growth signifies not just the league's aspirations but also a larger movement for women in sports.

The PWHL Takeover Tour's ongoing efforts to engage more markets indicate the league's direction remains focused on broadening its audience and establishing a permanent presence in cities across North America.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Women's Hockey

The landscape of women's hockey is evolving, marked by increased viewer interest and the solid establishment of leagues like the PWHL. With a roadmap in place and a demand evident, the future of women's ice hockey promises to be as exciting as it is necessary. We are just beginning to see how this dynamic sport will transform under the spotlight.