Report: PWHL could expand to 12 teams as early as 2026-27

The PWHL won’t be stopping at just eight teams.

Before the newest expansion teams in Seattle and Vancouver even hit the ice, a new report suggests that the league is looking to expand again.

David Pagnotta, editor-in-chief of The Fourth Period, reports that as many as four new markets could be expected in the next wave of expansion, which could come as soon as the 2026-27 season.

There has reportedly been heavy interest from multiple markets across Canada and the United States, including Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Quebec City, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Denver, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Some of these cities, such as Detroit and Edmonton, were stops in the PWHL Takeover Tour last year and hosted regular-season PWHL games.

Vancouver and Seattle were also stops along last year’s tour, and the fan response in these markets was part of the reason they were selected as new franchises.

The PWHL began play in 2024 with just six teams. From there, the league has added new elements each year, including nicknames and logos for the 2024-25 season, and two new expansion franchises in the 2025-26 season.

The league held an expansion draft in June that was heavily criticized for the destruction it may have caused to the inaugural teams. Fans have yet to see the newly rearranged squads take the ice and the league has yet to announce its schedule for the upcoming season.

Source link