The Professional Women's Hockey League announced that it will welcome its newest franchise in San Jose, marking a historic expansion that will see the team take the ice at the SAP Center beginning with the 2026‑27 campaign.
A New Era for the PWHL
The San Jose club joins a wave of expansion that also includes outposts in Detroit, Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, pushing the league toward a twelve‑team configuration that promises a richer schedule and deeper talent pools.
SAP Center, long a hub for NHL action, will now host the league's most anticipated women's games, offering a familiar arena for fans while underscoring the league's ambition to share major‑venue platforms with the broader hockey community.
Early interest has been palpable; within hours of the announcement, the league recorded roughly 2,000 season‑ticket requests, a testament to the growing appetite for elite women's hockey across North America.
Amy Scheer, the PWHL's executive vice president of business operations, highlighted the caliber of talent that will grace the new roster, noting that the league currently boasts more than 60 Olympians, a figure that underscores the professional depth of the sport.
Cathy Andrade, a skating consultant for the San Jose Sharks, believes the franchise will be a catalyst for grassroots growth, especially for girls in a region that ranks sixth nationally in girls' hockey participation.
Local players have already voiced their enthusiasm, saying that a home team will not only provide role models but also create a tangible pathway for the next generation to pursue the sport at higher levels.
The league's player draft is scheduled for next month, a milestone that will finalize rosters and further cement the competitive framework that has been building since the league's inception.
Looking Ahead
As the PWHL charts its course toward a twelve‑team future, the San Jose expansion stands as a vivid illustration of how strategic investments and community engagement can accelerate the visibility and sustainability of women's professional hockey.