Detroit among favourites for PWHL expansion team

TORONTO, ON — With the PWHL moving forward with expansion, and an announcement on the horizon, some cities are starting to emerge as frontrunners for a franchise.

Speculation over which markets may gain a PWHL club has ramped up over the last week or so, with several cities reportedly under consideration.

In no particular order, Las Vegas, Detroit, Denver, Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Chicago, Washington, Hamilton, Quebec City, Winnipeg and St. Louis have been rumoured to be under consideration for a team.

The PWHL is planning on moving forward with four new teams as early as the 2026-27 season, but that plan has not yet been finalized. It remains possible the League adds two new teams next season and two more for the 2027-28 campaign.

According to multiple sources, IW has learned Detroit is considered one of the markets to land an expansion team and is expected to join the League next season.

This season, nearly 16,000 fans attended Little Caesars Arena on March 28 to witness the Montreal Victoire defeat the New York Sirens 3-1 as part of the PWHL Takeover Tour – it was the league’s largest in four all-time games played in Detroit.

One city that won’t be part of the League’s upcoming round of expansion is Edmonton.

As IW reported last week, Edmonton is no longer in the running for an expansion franchise, and the PWHL shifted its focus elsewhere months ago.

Per sources close to the situation, the PWHL and OEG, who own the Edmonton Oilers and Edmonton Oil Kings, among other properties, were unable to come to terms on an agreement or partnership for a franchise.

While that may be disappointing for fans in Northern Alberta, the PWHL is aiming to add at least one new Canadian team as part of its next four clubs.

It remains unclear when the PWHL will announce its expansion plans, which are still being finalized, but there is an anticipation of a major press conference later this month.

On Sunday, the PWHL Players Association sent its membership an overview of how the PWHL plans to enroll its expansion process in a document obtained by IW titled “Expansion Roster Building Process.” The five-phase process tentative begins May 28, running through June 13.

IW confirmed yesterday via Instagram that the PWHL Entry Draft will take place on June 17.