The PWHL is set to hold neutral-site matches in six different Canadian cities this season, with plans to introduce new teams in the upcoming season. Quebec City and Edmonton will once again host games for the second consecutive season, featuring matchups such as Vancouver versus Montreal in Quebec City and Minnesota versus Vancouver in Edmonton.
Additionally, the league’s Takeover Tour will expand to four new Canadian cities this season: Halifax, Hamilton, Winnipeg, and Calgary. Last season, over 123,000 fans attended games during the nine-stop Takeover Tour, which included matches in Vancouver and Seattle, the league’s two expansion franchises for the current season.
The PWHL is scheduled to play 16 neutral-site games across 11 locations in North America this season. Executive vice president of business operations, Amy Scheer, indicated plans to add two to four teams in the next season, emphasizing the league’s growth trajectory and the addition of teams in Vancouver and Seattle as initial steps.
Games in Quebec City and Edmonton were sold out last season, with Quebec City showcasing significant interest in hosting a PWHL team at the Videotron Centre. Edmonton, having previously housed a women’s hockey team, remains a pivotal location to bridge the gap between the west coast teams and the rest of the league.
Halifax, hosting two games this season along with Edmonton, holds historical significance for women’s hockey, with past involvement in hosting national team games. The league’s expansion and outreach efforts also extend to cities in the US, including Denver, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, and Washington, D.C.
The full PWHL Takeover Tour schedule includes matches in various cities, highlighting the league’s commitment to expanding its footprint and engaging with fans across North America. The league’s continued growth and fan support have paved the way for an ambitious tour schedule for the upcoming season.