Professional Women’s Hockey League Expands to Vancouver

Vancouver will be the newest team in the Professional Women’s Hockey League and will begin play next season at Pacific Coliseum, marking the league’s first entry into the West Coast.

Vancouver will join Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto. Pacific Coliseum is nearby the PNE Agrodome, which will be the team’s practice facility. The team will operate as PWHL Vancouver until a permanent brand identity is announced.

“This is a historic day for our league, our fans, our athletes and our sport,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice president of business operations. “Vancouver is a vibrant city with a deep love for the game — as we saw firsthand during the PWHL Takeover Tour earlier this season. Expanding to Vancouver reflects the growing momentum behind the league and the incredible passion of our fanbase since launching in January 2024. We’re proud to bring the PWHL to the West Coast and provide more fans with the opportunity to experience live the best women’s hockey players in the world.”

Since opening in 1968, Pacific Coliseum is the original home of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks and hosted figure skating and short-track speed skating during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. The Coliseum will receive enhanced technology and broadcast capabilities in anticipation of the PWHL’s arrival.

“The expansion of the PWHL to Vancouver is fantastic news for hockey fans and a great score for women in sport,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “B.C. is well known for being a welcoming and inclusive place for sports and for being home to the best sports fans, who passionately celebrate and cheer on great athletes. We look forward to welcoming this new elite hockey team to their home at the PNE. I can’t wait to watch the puck drop and see the PWHL inspire young athletes all across our province.”

The PWHL said in a release “the decision to expand to Vancouver follows an extensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process and reflects the league’s long-term vision for strategic growth.” Vancouver had a tour-high, sold-out crowd of 19,038 at Rogers Arena on January 8 during the PWHL Takeover Tour.

“This is a great day for women’s sport in Vancouver and a great day for professional hockey at the PNE,” says PNE President and Chief Executive Officer Shelley Frost. “We are honored to have worked with the PWHL to be chosen host venue for this expansion franchise, and we are thrilled to support driving professional women’s sport in this city and at the Pacific Coliseum, a beloved venue continuing to deliver memorable player and guest experiences.”