The Professional Women’s Hockey League has achieved remarkable growth in its third regular season, hitting a major milestone by attracting over one million fans for the first time, the league announced on Tuesday. Comprising four teams in both the U.S. and Canada, the PWHL drew a total of 1,116,497 attendees across 120 regular-season matchups. The average attendance saw a notable 28% increase from the previous 2024-25 season, reaching 9,304 spectators per game, reflecting a significant 71% surge compared to its inaugural season in 2023-24.
Moreover, the average attendance at all primary home venues experienced a substantial 35% boost over the course of the season. A highlight of the season was on April 4 when the PWHL set a new U.S. attendance record for women’s ice hockey with a sold-out crowd of 18,006 fans witnessing the New York Sirens facing off against the Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden.
The PWHL initially started with six teams: Sirens, Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, and Ottawa Charge. This season saw the introduction of two expansion franchises, the Vancouver Goldeneyes and the Torrent, joining the league. Notably, the Sirens, Frost, and Torrent play their home games at arenas that also serve as the home venues for NHL teams.