A New Era for Women's Hockey in the Bay Area
The Professional Women's Hockey League announced that it will welcome a new franchise based in San Jose, California, beginning play at the SAP Center this fall. The team is slated to start its inaugural campaign in the 2026‑27 season, which opens in November, bringing elite competition to the Bay Area.
The addition brings the league to twelve teams, joining recent expansions in Detroit, Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario, as the circuit continues to grow beyond its original footprint and solidify its status as the premier women's professional hockey league.
Amy Scheer, the league’s executive vice president of business operations, said the PWHL represents the highest level of hockey in the world and that the new club will further elevate the sport’s profile nationwide.
Cathy Andrade, a San Jose Sharks skating consultant, highlighted that the presence of a top‑level women’s team creates tangible pathways for young players in the community, offering role models and professional training opportunities.
Local officials and hockey advocates note that San Jose already ranks sixth nationally in girls’ hockey participation, underscoring the region’s strong foundation for the new franchise and its potential to inspire the next generation of players.
The league’s player draft is scheduled for next month, after which rosters will be finalized and the team will begin its inaugural season in the 2026‑27 campaign, generating considerable buzz among fans and stakeholders.
Enthusiasm is already building among aspiring athletes, many of whom cite the convenience of a nearby elite team and the inspiration of seeing women compete at the highest level of the sport.
Organizers expect the franchise to generate lasting benefits for the sport, from increased youth participation to greater visibility for women’s professional hockey, reinforcing the league’s commitment to sustainable growth.