The PWHL officially announced its first-ever expansion franchise on Tuesday, naming Vancouver as the league’s newest destination. The team—currently dubbed PWHL Vancouver— will begin play in the 2025-26 season and call Pacific Coliseum home, a venue with a seating capacity of more than 16,000.
The decision to bring a team to Vancouver comes on the heels of a record-breaking turnout during this season’s Takeover Tour, where 19,038 fans packed Rogers Arena for a PWHL showcase. That crowd ranks fourth all-time in league history and served as a strong indicator of the region’s enthusiasm for women’s hockey.
“First, just because Vancouver's really cool, and I've always wanted to go,” joked goaltender Gwyneth Philips.
“But more importantly, it shows the growth of women's hockey and it seems like they have a ton of fan support. So I'm really excited. I think it just goes to show how much the game is growing.”
The expansion also addresses growing demand for roster spots as more elite players emerge.
Forward Kateřina Mrázová noted, “We have so many great players, and only having six teams makes it really tough for the sport, so expanding to more teams is great for development and having more depth… I wish I was younger because it's going to grow in the future way beyond what we could have ever imagined.”
For those inside the league, the move reflects the momentum PWHL has built in just two seasons.
“It’s a great reflection of what this league has been able to accomplish,” said head coach Carla MacLeod. “The fact that expansion is even an opportunity is a real nod to the fan base and the investment we’ve received as a sport.”
Vancouver’s getting a PWHL team—and it’s a big deal. But it’s also just the beginning. According to Amy Scheer, the league’s executive VP of business operations, adding Vancouver is step one in a multi-year plan to keep growing the league. A second expansion team could be on the horizon, and with fan support at an all-time high, the PWHL is showing no signs of slowing down.