Are The PWHL's Eight Takeover Cities Their Expansion Short List?

When the PWHL made their intention to expand by as many as two teams prior to next season known, speculation spread rapidly looking at potential markets.

Among the cities mentioned were a plethora of NHL markets, as well as some non-NHL markets. The PWHL's takeover schedule this season includes Raleigh, Buffalo, Quebec City, Detroit, St. Louis, Denver, Seattle, and Vancouver.

Presumably, this list is the PWHL's shortlist for expansion teams. As Amy Scheer, the PWHL's senior vice president of business operations stated, "The PWHL Takeover Tour lets us showcase our game and exceptional athletes across a wider North American footprint—an exciting moment for our players and an important move for our business as we consider expansion.”

Left off the list were markets including Calgary, London, Halifax, Edmonton, Hamilton, and Winnipeg in Canada, as well as Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh, who hosted a PWHL Takeover game last season, in the United States.

Detroit enters as a unique market since they are the only city to host PWHL games in back-to-back years after setting the all-time American record for attendance at a women's professional hockey game last year drawing 13,736 fans.

Quebec City, one of two Canadian stops on the tour, is the only non-NHL market included, but the market has already sold close to 17,000 tickets for their game between the Montreal Victoire and Ottawa Charge on January 19.

Perhaps the surprise market on the PWHL's Takeover Tour was Raleigh, North Carolina. The NHL's Carolina Hurricanes have developed one of the NHL's most faithful fan followings drawing over capacity this season averaging 18,752 fans, fifth most in the NHL behind only Detroit, Toronto, Montreal, and Tampa Bay. Carolina has also become a growing hotbed for women's and girls' hockey.

Where will the final unannounced game be?

While the PWHL listed eight cities and venues, there is hope for an additional Canadian date for fans that could see a game in Calgary, London, Halifax, Edmonton, or Winnipeg, or it could be this year's Battle on Bay Street stop in Toronto. The remaining unannounced date is February 16, 2025 for a game between the Toronto Sceptres and Ottawa Charge.

While Calgary was a location many fans listed as a preferred destination, it's unlikely to happen on that date as the Saddledome has an NLL game occuring at 5pm on February 16. The same could be said for London, Ontario's Canada Life Place where the London Lightning hit the hard court at 2pm that day.

The available arenas on that date include Toronto's Scotiabank Arena, Halifax's Scotiabank Centre, and Edmonton's Rogers Place. Considering the game is an Ottawa Charge home game, it's unlikely the game would be played in Toronto. Winnipeg could be an option for a double header as the AHL's Manitoba Moose play at 2pm that day.

Is there a leading expansion contender?

If you look at history, Detroit and Quebec City have already proven their merit, although Detroit has a venue issue unless they can successfully put a third major professional team into Little Caesars Arena, or they play half their games across the border in Windsor.

Quebec City looks ready to join the league, but looking at the remainder of the PWHL's locations, it's clear NHL ties are important to the league.

A regional expansion to include Seattle and Vancouver could be a massive hit for the league, and travel would not be as exorbitant as some claim given teams could play a series against Seattle and Vancouver on the same road trip and use Minnesota as a stopping point on the way. Not only is the league testing markets, but they are also apparently testing this travel process with Montreal playing in Seattle on January 5, Vancouver on January 8, and Denver on January 12.

Buffalo also has a history of women's hockey with the Buffalo Beauts. The team was popular among PHF fans, but the market will need to show it can draw a much larger crowd for the PWHL. As a border city to Niagara Falls, Canada, and only a short drive from Toronto, the market makes logistical sense.

The league will be watching the neutral site games closely and in order to allow new teams to prepare for the PWHL Draft, the league will need to announce expansion shortly after tour is completed.