Exciting News: PWHL Expands to Seattle with New Franchise and Plans for Two More by 2026-27!

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is gearing up for an exciting expansion next season. Seattle will be the newest addition, becoming the league’s second team alongside Vancouver. This move not only strengthens the league’s presence in the Pacific Northwest but also connects two cities with a shared passion for women’s sports.

Seattle now boasts three professional women’s sports teams: the WNBA’s Storm, NWSL’s Reign, and now the PWHL team. At the announcement event, Storm star Skylar Diggins proclaimed, “Seattle takes pride in its women’s teams. We support each other and build this community together. The fans will embrace you, PWHL. Welcome to the family!”

Amy Scheer, the PWHL’s executive vice president, dubbed Seattle the “capital of women’s sports,” highlighting the strong female leadership behind the Storm, Reign, and NHL’s Kraken.

Historically, women’s hockey in the region dates back to 1921 with a groundbreaking tournament featuring the Seattle Vamps and Vancouver Amazons. “This is a new chapter in our rivalry,” said Jayna Hefford, the PWHL’s executive vice president of hockey operations. “We’re reigniting that history.”

Seattle’s addition follows a planned strategy. The league aims to expand to ten teams by the 2026-27 season, driven by positive feedback and interest. Recent data shows that during the PWHL’s neutral-site games in cities like Denver and Detroit, attendance topped 14,000, indicating a growing fan base.

The PWHL seeks to nurture talent from both North America and Europe. Experts believe this expansion comes at an opportune moment, as a wave of college talent is expected to enter the league in the coming years. “Players see that this league is thriving and want to be part of it,” Hefford noted.

The Seattle team will initially be called PWHL Seattle, featuring emerald green and cream colors, and will play at the Kraken’s Climate Pledge Arena. The community has shown strong support for women’s hockey, demonstrated by record crowds at recent events.

Overall, the PWHL’s future looks bright, with plans to strengthen and expand its presence in the sports landscape. Fans and players alike are eager to witness this new chapter of women’s hockey unfold.

For updates on women’s hockey, visit the AP Women’s Hockey hub: AP Women’s Hockey.

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