PWHL adding expansion franchise in Detroit
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced Detroit as its first expansion market for next season, leveraging the city's strong hockey culture and the Ilitch family's involvement, owners of the Red Wings and other sports teams.
- Detroit has hosted successful PWHL neutral-site games at Little Caesars Arena, drawing over 53,000 fans combined, which helped inspire the league's multicity "Takeover Tour" and confirmed the city's readiness for a team.
- The PWHL now has nine teams, with plans to add two to four more, targeting cities such as Denver, Las Vegas, and Hamilton, Ontario, while also considering other North American markets despite some logistical challenges.
- Detroit meets key expansion criteria including arena facilities, corporate support, and a strong local hockey development system, with Michigan ranking second in producing PWHL talent behind Minnesota.
- The league is experiencing significant growth post-Milan Cortina Olympics, with increased attendance, merchandise sales, and digital viewership, and is seeking to strengthen its U.S. broadcast partnerships to support sustainable expansion.
