Vancouver Team Set to Begin Play in the 2025-26 Season at Pacific Coliseum
NEW YORK AND TORONTO – The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has officially announced its expansion to Vancouver, British Columbia, with the new team set to debut in the 2025-26 season. This marks the league’s first venture to the West Coast and represents a significant step in its strategic growth.
Home Venue and Facility Upgrades
The Pacific Coliseum, a historic venue located on the PNE grounds, will serve as the team’s home arena. Nearby, the PNE Agrodome will act as the primary practice facility. Both venues are set to undergo substantial renovations to elevate locker rooms, training areas, and broadcast technology, all while preserving the Coliseum’s renowned hockey sightlines and charm.
Team Identity and Colors
For now, the team will operate as PWHL Vancouver until its permanent branding is unveiled. The team’s official colors were announced as Pacific Blue (primary) and Cream (secondary), reflecting a West Coast aesthetic.
PWHL Expansion and Strategic Growth
The addition of Vancouver expands the PWHL from its original six markets—Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, and Toronto—to seven. This milestone comes after an extensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, with Vancouver’s bid standing out due to its flourishing hockey culture and enthusiastic fan response.
Notably, the PWHL Takeover Tour earlier this year saw a sold-out crowd of 19,038 at Rogers Arena, the highest attendance of the tour, highlighting Vancouver’s readiness to support professional women’s hockey.
As part of its commitment to grassroots efforts, the PWHL will organize camps, clinics, and events in the Vancouver area to strengthen connections between the team and local fans while fostering the growth of women’s hockey.
Key Milestones Ahead
- Expansion Draft: Details about the draft, which will help build Vancouver’s inaugural roster, will be announced in the coming weeks.
- 2025 PWHL Draft: Scheduled for June 24, updates on how Vancouver will integrate into the Draft will follow.
- Season Launch: The 2025-26 season begins this fall, with the full schedule expected in late summer.
Quotes from Key Figures
- Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive VP of Business Operations:
“This is a historic day for our league, our fans, and our athletes. Vancouver is a vibrant city with a deep love for hockey, as demonstrated during the PWHL Takeover Tour. Expanding to Vancouver reflects the incredible momentum behind the league.” - Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive VP of Hockey Operations:
“This expansion creates opportunities for more elite athletes to continue their professional careers. Vancouver, with its rich women’s hockey history, is the perfect fit for this next chapter.” - Shelley Frost, PNE President and CEO:
“We are honored to be chosen as the host venue for this expansion franchise and thrilled to support professional women’s sport in Vancouver at the Pacific Coliseum.” - Ken Sim, Mayor of Vancouver:
“The passion for women’s hockey is growing, and today’s announcement demonstrates that Vancouver is ready to lead that charge on the West Coast.”
Fan Engagement and Season Tickets
Fans can secure priority access to season tickets for Vancouver’s inaugural season by placing a time-stamped deposit. For the latest updates, fans can subscribe to newsletters and follow the team on social media:
- Instagram, X, TikTok, Threads: @pwhl__vancouver
- Bluesky: @pwhl–vancouver
