The Vancouver Goldeneyes have made a significant impact in their inaugural season in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL), particularly in merchandise sales. The team, along with the Seattle Torrent, recorded the highest first-year merchandise sales in the league's three-season history, according to an announcement made on Tuesday.
Merchandise Sales Surge Across the League
While exact sales figures were not disclosed, the PWHL reported that in-arena merchandise sales doubled compared to the previous season. Online merchandise sales increased by more than 50 percent, and following the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, growth accelerated by 190 percent compared to the same period last year. The Vancouver Goldeneyes' fans were frequently noted for their extensive display of team gear at the Pacific Coliseum, contributing to the team's commercial success.
Attendance and Viewership Growth
The league expanded to eight teams with the addition of the Goldeneyes and the Torrent. The regular-season announced attendance averaged 9,304, a 28 percent increase from last year's 7,245 and a 71 percent rise from the inaugural season's 5,448. Seattle led with an average of 12,785, followed by Vancouver at 11,235. The PWHL also saw a 77 percent increase in YouTube viewership season over season, with viewers from 154 countries, up from 106. Team-owned platform traffic surged by 150 percent, totaling 682 million impressions.
Expansion Plans and Takeover Tour Success
The league is considering adding two to four expansion teams for the next season, with a potential announcement as early as next month. Vancouver's inclusion was bolstered by a Takeover Tour neutral-site game at Rogers Arena in January 2025, which drew an announced crowd of 19,038. This season, the PWHL hosted 16 Takeover Tour games, with Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Edmonton, and Halifax each hosting two. Washington led attendance for these games with 17,228, followed by Calgary (16,150) and Hamilton (16,012).
The Goldeneyes' strong performance on and off the ice has set a promising foundation for the franchise's future in Vancouver.
