The PWHL is set to hold neutral-site matches in six different Canadian cities this season, with plans to introduce new teams possibly as early as next season. This year, the eight-team league will once again have games in Quebec City and Edmonton. Additionally, the league’s Takeover Tour will include four new Canadian cities: Halifax, Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Calgary.
During the previous season’s nine-stop Takeover Tour, over 123,000 fans attended games, with Vancouver and Seattle being selected as expansion franchises for the upcoming season. The league is scheduled to play 16 neutral-site games across 11 locations in North America, potentially paving the way for the next PWHL expansion markets.
According to Amy Scheer, the PWHL’s executive vice president of business operations, the league is poised to expand by two to four teams in the coming year, emphasizing the league’s growth trajectory. Quebec City and Edmonton saw sold-out games last season, with interest in establishing PWHL teams in these cities growing. Quebec City’s Videotron Centre and Edmonton’s Rogers Place were hosts to enthusiastic crowds during the previous season.
Halifax and Edmonton are the only two Canadian cities to host two games this season, with Halifax having never been home to a professional women’s hockey team. The league’s expansion efforts extend beyond Canada, with scheduled visits to Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. PWHL games in Denver and Detroit have previously set U.S. attendance records, indicating potential interest in establishing PWHL teams in these cities.
The full PWHL Takeover Tour schedule includes matches in various cities across North America, showcasing the league’s commitment to expanding its reach and engaging with fans on a broader scale.
