Goodbye Capitals, Hello Women's Hockey: Washington A Market To Watch

With the Washington Capitals and Wizards likely leaving Capital One Arena, and the WNBA's Washington Mystics moving in, is the door open for a PWHL Washington team?

It seems premature to talk expansion of the PWHL, but when opportunity knocks, the league will be listening and watching.

The newest opportunity could be related to a new development in Washington, D.C. that will move the NHL's Washington Capitals and NBA's Washington Wizards out of the District of Columbia to nearby Alexandria, Virginia. 

Scheduled to take place in 2028, the timing could coincide with opportunity for PWHL expansion, specifically with an eye on Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, which will become vacant when the plan comes to fruition. The arena has been home to both Washington franchises since it opened in 1997, holding 18,573 fans for hockey.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment and CEO Ted Leonsis also own the WNBA's Washington Mystics, a team who it's believed Ted Leonsis wants to re-locate from Washington's 4200 seat Entertainment and Sports Arena to Capital One Arena for games. In Leonsis' comments, he didn't however, specifically state basketball, he said "women's sports" in relation to Capital One Arena.

"My belief is that at Capital One Arena, we can host women's sports," Leonsis said addressing media. "Our intention is to expand here and keep Capital One Arena in DC a great place."

As Monumental said in their formal press release related to the move, "Monumental is excited about the potential opportunity to update Capital One Arena to be the future home of the Washington Mystics, increasing the company’s investment in the Mystics, creating a gameday experience tailored specifically for the Mystics, and allowing this championship-winning team to continue to grow the franchise and its fanbase."

With basketball and hockey often sharing facilities across North America, it begs the question, could this be an opening for the PWHL in 2028?