For the first time in league history, the PWHL will have a national broadcasting deal in the United States for the 2026-27 season signing with Scripps Sports.
The PWHL and Scripps Sports have announced that the network will become the league's first ever national broadcaster for the 2026-27 season.
Acquiring the national broadcasting rights for professional women's hockey is a first for the PWHL and the sport in the USA.
The PWHL itself called it "a landmark partnership that represents the league’s first season-long national television package in the United States bringing PWHL competition to fans throughout the season."
Scripps will broadcast a Saturda "Game of the Week" airing exclusively in the United States on ION, Scripps' national sports network.
ION will also serve as the PWHL's exclusive American home for the Walter Cup finals, and will also air a to be determined Walter Cup playoff series.
“A season-long national television presence in the U.S. is something we’ve been working toward and represents a significant step in our continued growth as a league,” said PWHL executive vice president of business operations, Amy Scheer.
“Scripps continues to be a committed partner in shining a spotlight on women’s sports, and for the first time, our American fans will have the opportunity to follow the league on national television throughout an entire season, making the PWHL more accessible than ever before.”
Scripps continues to invest in women's sport through this latest partnership with the PWHL. They became the first network to nationally broadcast a PWHL game in the United States last season for the PWHL's Takeover Tour stop in Detroit, as well as Walter Cup playoff games.
“Women’s sports is a cornerstone of our mission to create meaningful connections between communities and the sports and teams they love,” said Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports. “This partnership further demonstrates ION as the premier destination for women’s sports, where athletes can showcase their talents on the biggest stage and fans can discover their next favorite team.”
Scripps Sports Network, which is available on The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Fire TV, Google TV Freeplay, Tubi and other major streaming platforms, will also broadcast two national PWHL games per week.
The agreement includes Scripps’ local stations in Detroit (WMYD-TV, The Spot – Detroit 20) and Las Vegas (KMCC-TV, The Spot – Vegas 34) becoming the local broadcast partners for the league’s expansion teams in those markets.
