The PWHL is expected to announce expansion to Detroit alongside Ilitch Sports and Entertainment Wednesday at Little Caesars Arena.
The PWHL is expected to announce they’ll be expanding to Detroit at an event scheduled for Wednesday morning at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit alongside Ilitch Sports and Entertainment.
The Ilitch Sports and Entertainment company has invited local girls hockey organizations to be on hand Wednesday for what those heading to the event believe will be expansion news.
Sources in Detroit are anticipating the PWHL announcement Wednesday morning, with the event beginning at 10am
PWHL Detroit is anticipated to begin play in time for the 2026-27 season, taking to the ice at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, which is also home to the NHL's Detroit Red Wings.
Detroit was long considered a frontrunner for expansion, which came to fruition with today's announcement.
In the PWHL's three seasons, Detroit has hosted four PWHL Takeover Tour games. During the league's inaugural season, Detroit set a new American professional women's hockey attendance record drawing 13,736 fans to Little Caesars Arena.
A year later to the day, Detroit set another American record, this time drawing 14,288 fans. This season, Detroit opened with their lowest attendance, bringing in 9,624 fans in January, before drawing the market's largest mark to date of 15,938 on March 28.
Detroit was also recently awarded a WNBA team, which will begin play at Little Caesars Arena in 2029.