The PWHL has stated they'll host neutral site games in NHL and non-NHL markets. Here's a look at some of the top contending cities.

With the prospect of neutral site games being a feature of the inaugural PWHL season, fans from across North America have already been voicing their desire for neutral site games in their markets. Over the last decade, many North American markets not immediately included in the PWHL's original six of Boston, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, New York, and Minnesota have shown a passion for women's sport and women's hockey. Here's a look at eight locations ideal for a neutral site game.

Seattle 

"We are ready." That's the tag line a group of women's hockey fans in Seattle is using to hopefully lure a game to the Emerald City. Someday, the Seattle Emeralds would be great west coast expansion, as it's definitively one of the strongest markets in the world for professional women's sports. Last year a Rivalry Series game in Seattle between Canada and USA drew 14,551 fans to Climate Pledge Arena. It's likely the most PWHL ready neutral site there is.

Las Vegas

It's a city of entertainment, always willing to welcome a new show to town, and similar to Seattle, the city has a strong culture of professional women's sports, and has fallen in love with hockey. The WNBA's Las Vegas Aces are a central piece to the city's sporting scene, and the Golden Knights are a major draw. Filling T-Mobile Arena for a PWHL game shouldn't be hard.

Los Angeles

With the PWHL's ownership group residing in Los Angeles where they own the Dodgers and Sparks, it seems like a no brainer that a neutral site PWHL game would come to the city. Whether it's in LA or neighbouring Anaheim, the city has shown a passion for women's hockey. In the 2018-2019 Rivalry Series, Anaheim drew 13,320 fans, and L.A. played home to the PWHPA championship weekend last year.

Buffalo

We know there are thousands of women's hockey fans in the Buffalo area already. That fact has been proven by years of support for the PHF's Buffalo Beauts. A neutral site game between Toronto and New York in Buffalo could be a hit, bringing together the diehards from Toronto who can make the short drive through Niagara, and the faithful Beauts fans who could find themselves following New York state's new team. It might not be a year one item, but considering the PWHL owns the name and logo, throwback Beauts jerseys could be icing on the cake.

London

There was a time when people were putting out the six markets for the PWHL, and lists almost always included London, Ontario, rather than Ottawa, as the third Canadian market. Budweiser Garden is a beautiful facility seating 9036 fans, and the region has a strong connection to women's hockey. The PWHPA found success last year touring OHL venues, and London, now that they've been omitted from the original six of the PWHL has something to prove in how supportive the city can be for women's sports.

Stockholm

By no means are we suggesting the league jump overseas immediately, but in terms of showcasing the talent of the PWHL to European players and fans, the league also shouldn't wait an eternity to bring their product overseas, much like the NHL has done with the Global Series. Stockholm, Sweden makes sense, as almost all of the elite talent outside of North America who could step into the PWHL and make an impact when their contracts expire is playing in the SDHL. Showing prospective players what they're missing in North America could go a long way toward recruiting top players from Europe.

Chicago

If there was one surprise omission from the PWHL's original six, it was Chicago. The city has supported not only WNBA and NWSL teams, but also is a hockey hot bed at all levels. When expansion comes, Chicago will be a key target (unless the league chooses to expand exclusively to the west coast), and whetting the appetite of women's hockey fans in Chicago could go a long way toward proving the market. 

Vancouver

You could plug in Calgary or any other Canadian market in this place, in fact some non-NHL markets like Saskatoon, Regina, Halifax, or Victoria, along with the previously mentioned London could also draw crowds, but Vancouver makes sense for a number of reasons. The NHL connection doesn't hurt, but the city has already announced itself as a founding market for Canada's professional women's soccer league which will launch in 2025, and the proximity to Seattle, along with British Columbia's thriving women's hockey league all make it a prime target for neutral site games, and west coast expansion.

Washington

Washington support women's sports. Many believed Washington was destined to be a member of the PWHL this season, but when the cards fell, they were on the outside looking in. The Washington Capitals have built out significant support for women in hockey over the last few seasons, and partnering on a neutral site game makes a lot of sense for the organization. 

Portland

The Portland Thorns averaged 17,916 fans to their NWSL home games this season, up from just over 15,000 the year prior. It's a thriving market that has shown support for women's sport and the 18,280 seat Moda Center is big enough to welcome a crowd of interested fans.