PWHL Expands to San Jose
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is set to make a historic move into the San Francisco Bay Area, with an official announcement slated for May 19. The decision marks the league’s fourth expansion team in 2026 and pushes the total franchise count to twelve, underscoring the rapid growth of women’s professional hockey.
The forthcoming club will be based in San Jose, California, and will call the SAP Center its home, sharing the arena with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. This makes San Jose the only city in the United States that hosts a PWHL, AHL and NHL franchise under one roof, a unique convergence that league officials say reflects the region’s deep hockey culture.
While the team’s nickname and branding remain under wraps, the organization has already outlined a meticulously staged expansion draft process. The PWHL draft is scheduled to begin on June 17, and the league, in partnership with the players’ association, has laid out a five‑phase roadmap that begins on June 2 and runs through mid‑June.
Phase 1, shortened to two days, will allow teams, players and agents to open negotiations at noon on June 1. By June 4, players slated for exclusive negotiation lists will be notified, after which Phase 2 will run from June 5‑8, followed by a three‑day Phase 3 from June 10‑12, a June 14‑15 Phase 4 and a final Phase 5 from June 16‑18 during which draft picks can be traded.
The expansion plan also highlights the league’s broader strategy, with new franchises already confirmed in Hamilton, Ontario, Detroit, and Las Vegas, joining the existing clubs in Toronto and the original markets. The move into California not only diversifies the geographic footprint but also signals confidence in the market’s potential to sustain a high‑level women’s team.
A New Chapter for Women’s Hockey in San Jose
For the players, the structured timeline offers clarity and opportunity, while for fans it promises a fresh source of elite competition just steps from the Sharks’ fan base. As the league finalizes the details, the excitement in the Bay Area is palpable, and the upcoming announcement is expected to set the stage for a competitive inaugural season.