The leadership of the Professional Women’s Hockey League is optimistic about the ability to fill four new teams for the upcoming season while maintaining a high level of competition. The PWHL recently announced the expansion into Northern California with the addition of San Jose, alongside Hamilton, Detroit, and Las Vegas for the 2026-27 season. This expansion will bring in 92 more full-time players and a dozen reserves, following the previous addition of Vancouver and Seattle to the original six clubs.
Jayna Hefford, the PWHL’s executive vice-president of hockey operations, expressed confidence in the talent pool, citing a strong upcoming draft class with 235 declared players, including a notable European group and impactful college prospects. The league is excited to offer more opportunities for players to compete.
The PWHL will now feature 12 teams in its fourth season, with details on expansion rosters and draft incorporation for the new teams in Detroit yet to be disclosed. Amy Scheer, the league’s executive vice-president of business operations, emphasized the high level of competition in the league, highlighting the presence of over 60 Olympians on the ice and promising intense and competitive games.
Hefford outlined the league’s expansion plans, aiming to reach 12 teams to ensure a geographically balanced and significant presence across North America. With Hamilton being the sole new Canadian team next season, playing at the renovated TD Coliseum, the league’s expansion has now crossed various time zones, solidifying its position as a premier women’s hockey league.
The PWHL’s strategic focus on securing the best markets for long-term success led to the selection of San Jose, Las Vegas, Hamilton, and Detroit as expansion locations. While the league may not maintain an equal split of teams between Canada and the U.S., the priority remains on sustainable growth and competitive balance.
San Jose’s entry into the league marks the addition of a professional women’s sports team to the Bay Area, following recent entries in soccer and basketball. The expansion bid for a PWHL team in San Jose was led by Sharks Sport and Entertainment and the City of San Jose, aiming to increase the representation of California players in the league with the support of the Sharks organization.
Operating under TWG Global’s ownership, the league continues to focus on strategic partnerships and arena relationships for expansion. The PWHL’s commitment to arena quality, commercial partnerships, talent development, fan engagement, and economic opportunities underscores its dedication to growing women’s hockey at the highest level.