The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which burst onto the scene in January 2025, is quickly solidifying its status as a major force in professional sports. The league’s initial success with its six founding franchises—Boston, New York, Minnesota, Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal—has led to rapid growth. The PWHL is already set to expand to eight teams for the upcoming 2025-2026 season with the addition of Vancouver and Seattle.
This immediate expansion is a strong indicator of the overwhelming fan demand and the high quality of play. However, the growth story doesn’t stop there. Reports suggest that the PWHL is already looking ahead. It is potentially planning its next wave of expansion as early as the 2026-2027 season. We may see the league grow to an impressive 12 teams by adding four more franchises.
New York Sirens Player Anne Cherkowski
Why the Rush for Expansion?
The PWHL’s fast-tracked expansion plan is driven by several key factors:
* Massive Fan Demand: The inaugural season saw record-breaking attendance, with several games selling out. There is a passionate, dedicated fanbase emerging across all markets. The “Takeover Tour,” which brought neutral-site games to potential expansion cities, proved the appetite for women’s hockey is widespread.
* Deep Player Pool: The league has successfully consolidated the top talent in women’s hockey. There are still many elite players ready to join. Expanding the league creates more professional opportunities, ensuring the level of competition remains exceptionally high.
* Market Viability: The initial six markets have proven the financial viability of the league. Expansion into additional cities—especially those with a strong existing hockey culture—is seen as a safe and lucrative next step. PWHL executive board members have noted they’ll be adding teams “much sooner than other people thought because the demand is there and the players are there.”
Vancouver City (Photo Courtesy of Ron Garnett of AirScapes)
Leading Candidates for the Next PWHL Franchise Wave
While the PWHL has not officially named the next round of expansion cities beyond Vancouver and Seattle, market testing and public interest point to several strong contenders for the rumored 2026-2027 additions:
Why It’s a Strong Contender
Quebec City hosted successful “Takeover Tour” games and has a fervent, long-standing desire for a professional hockey team following the departure of the NHL’s Nordiques.
Detroit, MI is known as “Hockeytown,” the city has a rich hockey tradition and hosted highly successful PWHL games, demonstrating high interest.
Pittsburgh, PA is a strong NHL market with the infrastructure to support a new team and a desirable geographical location for regional rivalries.
Denver, CO is another successful “Takeover Tour” host and a vibrant market with a growing sports landscape.
Calgary and Edmonton are strong hockey markets in Western Canada that offer natural rivalries and a massive existing fan base.
Chicago, IL is a large market with a deep hockey history that would strategically link up with the Minnesota franchise.
The PWHL’s strategic use of its “Takeover Tour” to test the waters in these cities gives the league crucial data on fan engagement, which will undoubtedly influence its final expansion decisions.
Minnesota Frost Championship (Photo Courtesy of PWHL)
What This Means for the League’s Future
The rapid growth from six to a potential 12 teams in just a few years signals a new era for women’s professional hockey.
* Increased Rivalries: More teams mean more intense competition and the creation of new, fierce rivalries, enhancing the on-ice product for fans.
* Geographical Balance: Expanding into the West Coast (Vancouver, Seattle) and potentially adding teams in the Midwest (Detroit, Chicago, Denver) and other Canadian cities will create a more geographically balanced league, which is crucial for logistics and reducing travel costs.
* Media and Sponsorship: A larger league footprint and consistent high-demand media viewership will attract bigger national and international media deals and lucrative sponsorships, securing the league’s long-term financial stability.
The PWHL’s commitment to immediate and future expansion is a clear statement: professional women’s hockey is here to stay. It’s growing faster than anyone anticipated. Keep an eye on the PWHL; its next big announcement could be just around the corner!
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