PWHL Announces Vancouver Expansion, Signaling League's Growth and Competitive Ambitions

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has initiated its expansion strategy, marking a significant step in its growth plan. The league announced the addition of a seventh team in Vancouver, set to begin play in the upcoming season. The PWHL launched in 2023 with six teams, and is nearing the conclusion of its second season.

The expansion team, temporarily known as PWHL Vancouver, will play its home games at the Pacific Coliseum starting in the 2025-26 season. The team's colors are described as Pacific blue and cream. The team will utilize the PNE Agrodome for practices, which, along with the Coliseum, will undergo facility upgrades.

Currently, the new team will not have a regional rival, with the Minnesota Frost being the closest competition. League executives have emphasized that this expansion is the initial phase of a long-term plan to expand the league and promote the sport. The league had previously indicated its intention to add up to two teams for the 2025-26 season.

Reports suggested that Seattle was also being considered as a potential second expansion team. The PWHL had previously hosted a game at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. League representatives indicated that a second team announcement is anticipated later this year.

The process of establishing the Vancouver team began eight months prior to the announcement, with discussions between the PWHL and Vancouver taking place over a four-month period. The PWHL game in Vancouver earlier in the year drew a larger crowd than a comparable NHL game. The league's criteria for expansion included infrastructure, with the Pacific Coliseum and the Agrodome being key factors. The market size, being the third-largest in Canada, was also a significant consideration.

An expansion draft date is being planned and will be announced soon. Despite the short timeframe, the league expects the new team to be competitive immediately. The league aims for expansion teams to be competitive from the start, unlike other leagues where it may take several years. There is already considerable interest in joining the expansion team's staff.