The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) recently announced expansion to Las Vegas, Nevada (US) and Hamilton, Ontario (Canada) with the new teams set to take the ice for the 2026-2027 seasons.
‘PWHL’ stated that the PWHL Las Vegas will play its home games at the 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada (US) while PWHL Hamilton will play out of the 18,000-capacity TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that features the best women’s players in the world. It comprises 12 ice hockey teams, seven from the United States and five from Canada.
Distinct Markets
The PWHL’s expansion to Hamilton and Las Vegas recognizes two distinct markets and opportunities for the league. Hamilton boasts one of the largest and most concentrated areas in the world for girls’ hockey participation with a community that has rallied for a professional hockey team of their own for generations while Las Vegas is North America’s entertainment mecca and home to a community that has proudly adopted and embraced hockey and women’s sports.
Expansion Class
The two new teams follow Detroit as part of the PWHL’s 2026 expansion class joining the league’s eight current markets – Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver.
PWHL Hamilton
‘PWHL’ further stated that as part of the above announcement the league also revealed Hamilton’s official team colors: Gold, maroon and cream. The permanent brand identity, including the team’s name and logo, will be announced at a later date.
PWHL Las Vegas
Las Vegas is one of the fastest-growing sports and entertainment destinations in North America and has proven its appetite to embrace both hockey and women’s sports at the highest level. The Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion to Las Vegas also increases the league’s geographic diversity as its first team in the American Southwest introducing professional women’s hockey to a new region of fans. Combined with the city’s accessibility, the hospitality infrastructure and the world-class facilities Las Vegas is a strong long-term fit for the PWHL.
The above announcement also unveils PWHL Las Vegas’ official team colors inspired by the natural tones of Southern Nevada: Green and gold.
‘Deep Hockey Roots’
Observed Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice-President (EVP), Hockey Operations, “Hamilton and its surrounding communities have long been central to the growth of girls’ and women’s hockey producing generations of talented players and passionate fans. This is a region with deep hockey roots. Thank you to Oak View Group (OVG) and the City of Hamilton for your partnership in bringing the highest level of women’s hockey home to one of the sport’s most dedicated communities.”
‘Serving Communities’
Added Amy Latimer, Chief Business Officer, Oak View Group (OVG), “At the Oak View Group we are proud to deepen our partnership with the PWHL and welcome its newest team to Hamilton. Women’s sports – and the league itself – are experiencing extraordinary momentum driven by the elite athletes and the passionate fans. Serving our communities is part of our company DNA and we are excited to embrace Hamilton fans into this new era for the city and women’s hockey.”
‘True Home’
Noted Nick DeLuco, Senior Vice-President (VP) and General Manager (GM), TD Coliseum, “The momentum around TD Coliseum continues to build and welcoming the PWHL marks another incredible milestone for this venue and this community. This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing world-class sports and entertainment experiences to Hamilton while creating a true home for a team and fan base ready for this moment.”
‘Valley-born’
Added Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice-President (EVP), Business Operations, “The Las Vegas community has enthusiastically embraced both hockey and women’s sports. While professional women’s hockey may be new to the market we know Las Vegas is ready to welcome and champion a PWHL team of its own. This new team will be Las Vegas Valley-born and reflect the identity of its bold, welcoming and resilient community with the athletes ready to put on a show and build a passionate following across the region.”
‘Home-ice Experience’
Maintained Massimo Bizzarro, General Manager (GM), T-Mobile Arena, “We are excited to be the home of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Las Vegas expansion and have the opportunity to welcome another professional sports team to the destination. The T-Mobile Arena has quickly become the epicenter for championship hockey and we look forward to offering the team and the hockey fans nationwide an unmatched home-ice experience.”
The Oak View Group, LLC is an American professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Denver.
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