The Professional Women’s Hockey League is officially expanding once again — and Hamilton is getting in on the action.
The PWHL announced that Hamilton, Ontario, will be home to one of three new expansion franchises set to begin play in the 2026-27 season. The other two new teams will be based in Las Vegas and Detroit.
The additions bring the league to 11 teams, with plans already in place to add one more franchise and round out the league at 12 clubs.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League launched in 2024 with six original teams located in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, New York and Minnesota. The league expanded to the west coast in 2025 with the addition of teams in Vancouver and Seattle.
Hamilton’s new franchise will play out of the recently renovated TD Coliseum, the 18,000-seat arena that is also home to the Toronto Rock.
League officials pointed to strong fan support in the region as a major factor in the decision. During the PWHL’s takeover tour in January, a game played in Hamilton attracted more than 16,000 fans. According to the league, roughly 70 per cent of those in attendance had never previously been to a PWHL game.
The league also says Hamilton has a strong connection to the sport itself, with approximately 15 per cent of current PWHL players coming from the Hamilton area.
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