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PWHL expands into Las Vegas and Hamilton for women's hockey

May 13, 2026, 2:00 AM20
(Update: May 13, 2026, 5:19 PM)
city and county seat of Clark County, Nevada, United States
city in Ontario, Canada
city in and county seat of Wayne County, Michigan, United States

PWHL expands into Las Vegas and Hamilton for women's hockey

  • The PWHL is adding franchises in Las Vegas and Hamilton for the upcoming 2026-27 season, following Detroit's recent expansion.
  • Las Vegas will host its games at T-Mobile Arena, enhancing its capacity for local fan engagement, while Hamilton’s team will play at the TD Coliseum, a newly renovated venue.
  • These new teams will expand the PWHL's footprint to cover eleven franchises, demonstrating a commitment to grow women's professional hockey.
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The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced its expansion to Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, for the 2026-27 season, marking a significant development in women's professional hockey. This decision follows Detroit’s recent inclusion in the league, signaling a second wave of growth as the PWHL aims to increase its reach beyond its initial markets. The Las Vegas franchise will play its home games at the T-Mobile Arena, a venue known for its superb atmosphere and support for the Golden Knights. With a capacity of 17,500, it is poised to accommodate a large number of fans and foster a community enthusiastic about professional women's sports. Las Vegas has experienced a significant increase in youth hockey participation—particularly among girls and women—since the Golden Knights began play in 2017, with participation soaring by 600%. This expansion aligns with the PWHL's strategy to grow its presence in the American Southwest, enhancing the region's status as a hub for major professional sports. In Hamilton, the PWHL's new team will call the recently renovated TD Coliseum home, which has a hockey capacity of 16,400. Hamilton’s partnership with Oak View Group and the city further enhances the local sports environment. The PWHL previously hosted a neutral-site game in Hamilton that attracted 16,012 fans, a clear indication of the support for women's hockey in the area. The league anticipates that the new franchise will not only attract fans from Hamilton but also from nearby cities such as St. Catharines and Kitchener. The addition of these teams brings the total number of franchises in the PWHL to eleven, with a twelfth team expected to be announced soon. This expansion reflects the league's ongoing commitment to increasing visibility and support for women’s sports, and the PWHL is confident it can draw a distinct fan base across these new markets. Both franchises will unveil their team names and logos at later dates, with Hamilton adopting colors of gold, maroon, and cream, while the Las Vegas team will don green and gold. The growing interest and engagement in women's hockey demonstrate a promising future for the PWHL as it continues its ambitious expansion plans.

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