The International Olympic Committee has announced that the women's hockey tournament at the 2030 Winter Games will field 25‑player rosters, aligning the women's and men's teams for the first time in Olympic history.
A Milestone for Gender Balance
This change is part of a broader effort to achieve near‑parity between male and female athletes, with the 2030 Games slated to host 1,525 women and 1,521 men across 126 events.
Ten nations will compete in the women's tournament, while twelve will contest the men's event, reflecting the expanded roster size and the growing depth of the sport.
Women's hockey made its Olympic debut in Nagano in 1998, and since then the competition has evolved from a novelty to a showcase of elite talent.
The Professional Women's Hockey League, now in its fourth season, will also expand to twelve teams, a move that mirrors the Olympic roster increase and signals continued investment in the professional game.
The United States and Canada have long dominated the competition; the U.S. captured gold in 1998, 2018 and 2026, while Canada has secured five titles, the most recent coming in 2022.
In February, the U.S. edged Canada in the Milan final, with Megan Keller scoring the decisive goal that sealed a 2‑1 victory.
Eric Ciotti, mayor of Nice, had opposed the city's bid to host the Games, clearing the way for Lyon to become the Olympic venue.
Lyon, situated in the French Alps, will serve as the main hub, while other events will be spread across France, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States, ensuring a truly global celebration of sport.