The Professional Women’s Hockey League keeps growing.
The PWHL announced today that they are expanding to Las Vegas, Nevada, and Hamilton, ON, ahead of the 2026-27 season. Vegas and Hamilton join Detroit, MI, announced last Wednesday, as the league’s newest franchises.
Hamilton, ON
PWHL Hamilton will call TD Coliseum home, which has a capacity of 16,400 for ice hockey. They will share the Coliseum with the soon-to-be-relocated AHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Islanders. Thursday’s introductory press conference (more on that later) will include details about the team’s practice facility.
“At Oak View Group, we are proud to deepen our partnership with the PWHL and welcome its newest team to Hamilton,” Amy Latimer, Chief Business Officer, Oak View Group, which operates TD Coliseum, said via a press release. “Women’s sports—and the league itself—are experiencing extraordinary momentum, driven by elite athletes and passionate fans. Our vision for TD Coliseum has always been to create a world-class destination for live sports and entertainment, and the arrival of the PWHL further reinforces that commitment. Serving our communities is part of our company DNA, and we are excited to embrace Hamilton fans into this new era for the city and women’s hockey.”
Hamilton’s colors will be maroon, gold, and cream. As with all eight existing teams, they will operate as PWHL Hamilton until a permanent brand identity is established.
The Toronto Sceptres and Seattle Torrent played at TD Coliseum as part of this year’s Takeover Tour, drawing 16,012 fans. It was the third-highest Takeover Tour turnout this season, behind Washington, DC (17,228) and Calgary, AB (16,150).
While there are already two PWHL teams in Ontario, the league is not concerned about splitting its audience. Per the press release, over 70% of the Hamilton Takeover Tour buyers were purchasing their first PWHL game ticket. In addition, the greater Hamilton area is one of Canada’s largest cities and close to other highly populated areas. More than 20% of Canada’s population lives in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, which encompasses cities such as Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Kitchener-Waterloo, Barrie, and Peterborough. In addition, more than 15% of PWHL players are from the Horseshoe. Overall, it is one of the world’s strongest regions for girls’ and women’s hockey participation and development.
“Hamilton and its surrounding communities have long been central to the growth of girls’ and women’s hockey, producing generations of talented players and passionate fans,” Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, said via a press release. “This is a region with deep hockey roots, and the response we saw during our Takeover Tour game at TD Coliseum made it clear that fans in the region are ready to rally around a team of their own. Thank you to Oak View Group and the City of Hamilton for your partnership in bringing the highest level of women’s hockey home to one of the sport’s most dedicated communities.”
Las Vegas, NV
PWHL Las Vegas will play their games at T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. The arena seats 17,500 for hockey games, although that number can grow to 20,000 with standing room only tickets. They will practice at the America First Center in Henderson, Nevada.
The team’s colors will be green and gold. They will operate as PWHL Las Vegas until a permanent identity is chosen.
This will be the first time the PWHL, or any form of elite women’s hockey, has visited Nevada. However, Vegas has rapidly become a sports hotbed over the past decade. The NHL kicked things off when it expanded to Vegas in 2017. The WNBA and NFL then relocated teams there in 2018 and 2020, respectively. The MLB will also relocate the (formerly Oakland) Athletics there in 2028. Meanwhile, the NBA is exploring expanding to the city, with a potential team tipping off in the 2028-29 season.
“The arrival of a Professional Women’s Hockey League team marks another exciting chapter in Las Vegas’ evolution as a global sports destination,” Steve Hill, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO said via the press release. “Las Vegas has become a city where major leagues, iconic events, and passionate fans come together, and the addition of professional women’s hockey reflects both the momentum of this market and the continued rise of women’s sports. We are proud to welcome the PWHL to Las Vegas.”
Elite women’s hockey games have yet to visit Vegas, but the sport has been growing quickly in the area. Girls’ and women’s participation in hockey has grown 600% since the Golden Knights joined the NHL, according to USA Hockey. In addition, women’s hockey legend Hayley Wickenheiser’s annual WickFest, now in its 17th year, visited the city in February. It marked the first time the girls’ hockey festival was held in the United States. It was such a success that it will return to Vegas in December.
“From the staggering growth of youth hockey participation to the passionate support for the Golden Knights and Aces, the Las Vegas community has enthusiastically embraced both hockey and women’s sports. While professional women’s hockey may be new to the market, we know Las Vegas is ready to welcome and champion a PWHL team of its own,” Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President, Business Operations, said via a press release.
“This new team will be Las Vegas Valley-born and reflect the identity of its bold, welcoming, and resilient community, with athletes ready to put on a show and build a passionate following across the region. Thank you to the Golden Knights for helping lay the foundation for hockey in Las Vegas, and to MGM Resorts International for the warm welcome to the ice at T-Mobile Arena.”
There will be a livestreamed introductory press conference for each city. PWHL Las Vegas’ will take place today at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena. PWHL Hamilton will follow tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. ET at TD Coliseum.
The expansion news will likely not end here. The PWHL is widely reported to be targeting expanding to 12 teams ahead of its fourth season this fall.