The PWHL trophy is headed to Canada, but the US is winning the women’s hockey moment
Summary
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) had its first Canadian champion as Montreal Victoire won the Walter Cup, beating the Ottawa Charge. Meanwhile, the league is expanding in the United States with new teams announced in San Jose, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton, Ontario, reflecting strong growth in women’s hockey in the US.Key Facts
- Montreal Victoire won the PWHL championship, the Walter Cup, in an all-Canadian final against Ottawa Charge.
- The PWHL is expanding to San Jose, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton for the 2026/27 season.
- The league will have seven US teams and five Canadian teams, marking the first time US teams outnumber Canadian ones.
- US cities have high attendance records for women’s hockey, including Madison Square Garden setting a record with 18,006 fans.
- The league’s TV exposure in the US grew with a national deal on ION, showing games to a wider audience.
- Attendance and viewership increased significantly, including a 77% rise in YouTube viewership season-over-season.
- The number of women and girls playing hockey in the US reached 100,000, with large growth in states like Nevada.
- Merchandise sales and corporate partnerships for the PWHL grew over the past year, showing strong business growth.
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