Quebec City believes they’ve shown the PWHL they have a strong fan base waiting for an expansion team. They’re ready for the next step in showing the league the business community is ready to mobilize.

Quebec City has been clear from the beginning: they want a PWHL franchise. The city’s potential fan base showed up and showed out in droves for their stop on the PWHL Takeover Tour with a sold out crowd of 18,259 attending a 2-1 Montreal Victoire win over the Ottawa Charge. 

Jackie Smith, city councillor of the Videotron Centre district, is encouraged to continue promoting women's hockey in Quebec City.

“What a wonderful weekend. The players were moved, the crowd was cheering, there was activity in the neighbourhood and a positive energy in the city. It feels good to experience beautiful, unifying moments,” Smith wrote in a statement. “I didn’t experience the Nordiques era in Quebec City, but several fans on site told me they were reliving the atmosphere of the time when the city vibrated with its team and I understood how magical it can be. We welcomed athletes who were very close to the people and extraordinary role models.”

While Quebec City has shown a clear appetite from fans, according to Smith, the next step if for the city to show the league that businesses and sponsors are also ready. 

Jackie Smith maintains that the next step is to show the league that the business community will be there to support an expansion in Quebec City. 

"The citizens have shown the league that they are ready and want more, we are now passing the puck to the business community. I call on them to mobilize with us,” Smith said. “If you are ready to sponsor a new team that will make the city vibrate, if you are interested in having new stars in the region, if you are looking forward to the arrival of fans who will travel to our commercial streets, show yourselves. I also ask citizens to call on the companies and businesses in the region by encouraging them to raise their hands and demonstrate their enthusiasm.”