The Premier Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced that a new franchise will call San Jose home beginning with the 2026‑27 season, bringing the total number of teams to twelve. The expansion marks the latest step in a rapid growth plan that has already added Detroit, Hamilton and Las Vegas over the past few years.
Sharing the SAP Center with the Sharks
The San Jose team will play its home games at the SAP Center, the same arena that hosts the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. The partnership with Sharks Sports & Entertainment provides the franchise with immediate access to a world‑class facility and a built‑in fan base that has long supported elite hockey in the Bay Area.
The league’s chief executive, Amy Scheer, emphasized that the expansion is not just about adding markets but also about creating a sustainable commercial environment. "We are positioning the PWHL to attract a major U.S. broadcast rights deal," Scheer said, noting that a twelve‑team structure will make the league more appealing to sponsors and media partners.
The Walter Group, a key investor in the new franchise, will work closely with the City of San Jose and local officials to ensure the team’s long‑term viability. Their involvement reflects a broader trend of private‑sector partnerships driving sports expansion in North America.
A Roster Reset for Competitive Balance
Alongside the geographic growth, the PWHL will undertake a complex, multi‑stage process to fill the new roster slots. The league aims to maintain competitive balance while giving players a decisive voice in how teams are constructed. This player‑centric approach is intended to address concerns about fairness and transparency that have surfaced in previous expansion cycles.
Jonathan Becher, a senior executive at the league, highlighted that the roster reset will involve a blend of draft mechanics, salary‑cap considerations and a transparent evaluation of existing talent. "Our goal is to give every player a realistic chance to shape the future of the league," Becher explained.
Jayna Hefford, a Hall‑of‑Fame player turned league ambassador, will help oversee the implementation of the reset. Her involvement underscores the PWHL’s commitment to leveraging the experience of former athletes to guide the league’s strategic decisions.
The expansion also brings the league’s reach into new geographic corners of the United States. In addition to San Jose, the PWHL already has a presence in Seattle, Vancouver and Las Vegas, creating a coast‑to‑coast footprint that mirrors the growth of women’s sports across the continent.
With the addition of the San Jose franchise, the PWHL is poised to solidify its status as the premier professional women’s hockey competition. The league’s leadership believes that a larger, more diversified lineup will not only boost viewership but also accelerate the development of a sustainable business model that can support both players and partners for years to come.