The Professional Women's Hockey League is significantly expanding its neutral site game schedule, bringing elite women's hockey to three major Western Canadian markets. The league announced that Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg will all host neutral site games during the upcoming season.
Western Canada Embraces Women's Hockey
The expansion represents a strategic move to grow the PWHL's footprint across Canada, particularly in markets that currently don't have franchise teams. This decision follows the overwhelming success of previous neutral site games, including the January 8, 2025 matchup between Montreal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres in Vancouver that drew significant fan attention.
Fans in these three prairie cities will have the opportunity to experience professional women's hockey firsthand, watching established teams like Montreal and Toronto compete in their home arenas. The league aims to build on the momentum generated during its inaugural season and expand its fan base beyond the six original franchise cities.
Strategic Growth for Professional Women's Hockey
This expansion demonstrates the PWHL's commitment to making women's hockey accessible to fans across the country. By bringing games to markets without current franchises, the league can gauge interest and potentially lay groundwork for future expansion teams.
The neutral site games scheduled for Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg will feature the same high-level competition that has characterized the PWHL's first season. These events typically include full fan experiences with pre-game warmups, merchandise sales, and player interactions that have proven popular with hockey enthusiasts.
Building on Early Success
The PWHL has quickly established itself as the premier women's hockey league worldwide, with strong attendance numbers and growing television ratings. The decision to expand the neutral site schedule comes as the league continues to capitalize on its early popularity and work toward long-term sustainability.
Western Canadian hockey fans have consistently demonstrated their passion for the sport, making Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg natural choices for this expanded schedule. The league expects strong ticket sales in these markets, where hockey culture runs deep and fans have been eager to see professional women's hockey at its highest level.
Specific dates and matchups for the neutral site games in Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg will be announced in the coming weeks as the league finalizes its full schedule for the upcoming season.
