PWHL Expands to Eight Teams, Adding Seattle and Vancouver

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is expanding to eight teams by awarding new franchises to Seattle and Vancouver, with both teams set to begin play in the 2025-26 season. Seattle’s team will play at Climate Pledge Arena and will join the city’s other prominent women’s sports teams, making Seattle the first U.S. city to host teams in the WNBA, NWSL, and PWHL. League officials highlighted Seattle and Vancouver’s strong support for women’s sports and their geographic proximity, which is expected to foster a natural rivalry. The PWHL intends to further expand to 10 teams by the 2026-27 season due to strong interest from additional markets. Community leaders and league representatives emphasized the significance of this moment for women’s hockey and the Pacific Northwest sports community. Details on expansion and entry drafts for the new teams will be announced soon.