Written by Nancy Shields • April 19, 2025
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is reportedly set to announce Vancouver as its first expansion franchise, with the team expected to commence play in the 2025–26 season.
This development follows the success of the PWHL’s “Takeover Tour” in January, where a game between the Montreal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres at Rogers Arena drew a crowd of 19,038 fans, the largest for a neutral-site game and the fourth-highest attendance in league history.
The new Vancouver team will be the league’s seventh, joining the original six franchises located in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York, and Minnesota. The team is expected to play at the Pacific Coliseum, indicating that the Vancouver Canucks’ ownership group, the Aquilinis, will not be involved.
The PWHL, owned by Mark Walter, who also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been exploring expansion opportunities, with over 20 proposals from interested parties and markets. A second expansion team, potentially in Seattle, is also anticipated to be announced soon.
This expansion reflects the growing popularity and support for women’s professional hockey, particularly in regions with a strong hockey culture like British Columbia. The upcoming announcement is expected to include representatives from British Columbia, the city of Vancouver, and key stakeholders.
As the PWHL continues to grow, the addition of a Vancouver team signifies a significant step forward for women’s professional hockey in Canada and beyond.
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All images, including the featured image, courtesy of Nancy Shields Creative.
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