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Report: Hamilton, Las Vegas expected to receive PWHL expansion franchises

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The PWHL isn’t done expanding.

After announcing earlier this month that Detroit will join the Professional Women’s Hockey League, the PWHL is reportedly also planning to award expansion franchises to Hamilton and Las Vegas, with official announcements coming later this week.

Here’s what you need to know.

Hamilton

Hamilton, Ontario will be the home of a fifth Canadian PWHL team, according to a report in the Hamilton Spectator on Tuesday. An official announcement is expected on Thursday.

Hamilton’s TD Coliseum has been a popular spot on the PWHL’s Takeover Tour, drawing over 16,000 fans for a game between the Toronto Sceptres and Seattle Torrent in January. The arena will serve as the home of the new team.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas will also add another professional sports team, with the city expected to receive a PWHL team in time to play next season, according to a report by Hailey Salvian in The Athletic on Tuesday.

An official announcement for the new team is expected on Wednesday, with youth teams invited to an event the same day, Salvian reported.

The new team will likely play at T-Mobile Arena, home of the NHL’s Golden Knights. In addition to the new PWHL team, the Golden Knights, the NFL’s Raiders and the WNBA’s Aces, Las Vegas is also expected to receive an expansion NBA franchise in the near future.

PWHL landscape

The PWHL landscape has already changed drastically over the last three years, with the league growing to 11 teams with Hamilton and Las Vegas’ inclusion. A 12th team could also be added, according to Salvian.

Vancouver and Seattle joined the league this season, but both missed the playoffs.

The original six PWHL teams are in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, Minnesota and New York.

In this year’s PWHL playoffs, the Ottawa Charge have already booked their ticket to the Walter Cup finals. They will play the winner of the semifinal series between the Montreal Victorie and Minnesota Frost, who will play a deciding Game 5 on Tuesday night.

The Frost have won the first two Walter Cups, beating Ottawa last year and Boston in 2024.