Professional Women’s Hockey League Expands to Detroit With New Franchise

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The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has officially expanded to Detroit, marking another major milestone in the rapid growth of women’s professional hockey in North America.

The new Detroit-based franchise will begin competing in the 2026-27 season and become the league’s ninth team overall. Home games will be played at the iconic Little Caesars Arena, home of the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings.

The announcement reflects the league’s growing popularity following record attendances and rising global interest in women’s hockey ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Detroit, famously known as “Hockeytown,” had long been viewed as a strong expansion candidate after repeatedly drawing impressive crowds during neutral-site PWHL games over the past three seasons. Earlier this year, nearly 16,000 fans attended a PWHL game at Little Caesars Arena, setting a venue attendance record for women’s hockey.

PWHL executive vice president Jayna Hefford said Detroit’s rich hockey culture, elite facilities, and strong grassroots development system for girls’ hockey made the city a natural choice for expansion.

The franchise will initially operate under the name “PWHL Detroit” until a permanent team identity, logo, and branding are unveiled at a later date. The team’s official colours have already been revealed as black and silver, with white and red accents inspired by Detroit’s industrial heritage and hockey history.

Detroit-based financial services company Ally Financial has been announced as the inaugural partner of the new franchise, with the company’s logo set to appear on team jerseys.

The city will also host major league events next month, including the 2026 PWHL Awards Ceremony on June 16 and the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17 at the Fox Theatre.

The PWHL launched in 2024 with six original franchises before expanding further in recent seasons. The addition of Detroit continues the league’s aggressive growth strategy as women’s hockey gains increasing commercial momentum and television visibility across North America.

League officials have also hinted that more expansion announcements could follow soon as the PWHL looks to capitalise on surging fan interest and the growing global profile of women’s ice hockey.

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