The PWHL is set to hold neutral-site matches in six different Canadian cities during this season, with plans to introduce new teams as early as the upcoming season. The league, composed of eight teams, will continue its trend of playing games in Quebec City and Edmonton for the second consecutive season. Additionally, four new Canadian cities have been included in the league’s Takeover Tour for this season: Halifax, Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Calgary.
Last season, the league’s Takeover Tour attracted over 123,000 fans across nine stops, with Vancouver and Seattle being selected as expansion franchises for the current season. The league is now gearing up to play a total of 16 neutral-site games at 11 locations throughout North America.
PWHL’s Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Amy Scheer, revealed plans to expand the league by two to four teams in the next season. This expansion strategy follows the successful addition of teams in Vancouver and Seattle, marking the initial phase of the league’s growth.
Quebec City and Edmonton were notable for their sold-out games last season, indicating strong support for women’s hockey. Quebec City, in particular, has expressed keen interest in hosting a PWHL team at the Videotron Centre. Similarly, Edmonton’s history with women’s hockey dates back to the Western Women’s Hockey League era, showcasing the region’s enthusiasm for the sport.
Halifax, one of the two Canadian cities hosting two matches this season alongside Edmonton, holds significant potential for women’s hockey. The city’s Scotiabank Centre, which previously hosted a game between the Canadian and American national teams, is well-equipped to support a PWHL team in the future.
As the league expands its reach beyond Canada, the Takeover Tour will visit several U.S. cities including Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. Scheer emphasized the league’s commitment to growth, driven by fan support and city engagement.
The PWHL’s full Takeover Tour schedule features matches in various cities, highlighting the league’s efforts to promote and expand women’s hockey on a broader scale.