WE GOT ONE!: PWHL Expands to Vancouver, Bringing Pro Women’s Hockey to the West Coast

Written by Nancy Shields • April 25, 2025

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is officially heading west. On April 23, the league announced Vancouver, British Columbia, as the site of its first expansion team, set to debut in the 2025–26 season. This marks a major milestone for the young league, as it expands beyond its original six teams and introduces professional women’s hockey to a new, passionate market.

Vancouver’s team will play out of the iconic Pacific Coliseum, one of the city’s most historic sports venues. The adjacent PNE Agrodome will serve as the team’s practice facility. Both spaces are slated for renovations that will include modernized locker rooms, training facilities, and upgraded broadcast technology, all while preserving the Coliseum’s beloved character and top-notch sightlines.

The new franchise, temporarily branded as PWHL Vancouver, will sport a bold Pacific Blue primary color with Cream as a secondary accent. The full team identity, including its name and logo, will be unveiled ahead of puck drop this fall.

Vancouver’s bid to join the PWHL was led by the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) and bolstered by the city’s deep-rooted hockey culture. A record-setting crowd of 19,038 fans at January’s PWHL Takeover Tour stop at Rogers Arena made it clear: Vancouver is ready to rally behind a women’s pro team.

League executives expressed excitement over the expansion, emphasizing the opportunities it presents for elite athletes and communities alike. “Vancouver is a vibrant city with a deep love for the game,” said Amy Scheer, Executive VP of Business Operations. “We’re proud to bring the PWHL to the West Coast and provide more fans with the opportunity to experience the best women’s hockey in the world.”

The Vancouver team will be integrated into the league’s player pool through an upcoming Expansion Draft and the 2025 PWHL Draft on June 24 in Ottawa. Details on both processes are expected soon. Fans can already reserve their spot in history by placing deposits for season tickets, with official ticket packages to follow later this summer.

As the PWHL continues to grow, Vancouver stands to become a cornerstone of the league’s future, a city with the fans, facilities, and passion to elevate the game for generations to come.

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All images, including the featured image, courtesy of Nancy Shields Creative.