PWHL Adds Las Vegas and Hamilton as New Teams

The Professional Women's Hockey League is set to announce two new expansion franchises this week. Las Vegas will be revealed as the league's 10th team on Wednesday, with Hamilton, Ontario, following on Thursday. Both cities will join the PWHL for the 2026-27 season. The news comes just days after Detroit was confirmed as the league's first expansion team of the cycle. An invitation from Foley Entertainment Group, which owns the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, described the announcement as "a historic Las Vegas sports announcement."

Las Vegas PWHL Team: Venue Options and Who Owns the League

A PWHL team in Las Vegas would likely play at T-Mobile Arena. The arena seats 17,500 for hockey and is home to the Golden Knights. Lee's Family Forum in Henderson is another option, but its 5,567-seat capacity falls short.

The PWHL averaged 9,304 fans per game during its record-breaking 2025-26 regular season, underscoring the need for a larger venue.

Foley Entertainment Group may be involved with the team in some capacity, but the PWHL operates under a single-entity ownership model. Billionaire Mark Walter, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his wife, Kimbra, own the league and all its franchises. PWHL advisory board member Stan Kasten said last month: "There is a line of cities eager to have us there, whether it's for a couple Takeover Tour games or for a full-time team."

Hamilton Gets a Team at TD Coliseum

Hamilton's expansion team is expected to play at the recently renovated TD Coliseum, with practice facilities at Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster, Ontario. Sources cited by the Hamilton Spectator confirmed that a deal has been reached to bring the franchise to the city. The arena already has a proven track record with the PWHL. In January, TD Coliseum drew 16,012 fans for a Toronto vs. Seattle game. That kind of turnout signals strong demand for professional women's hockey in the region.

Hamilton joins Las Vegas as part of a broader push to balance the league geographically. PWHL executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer confirmed the league is also exploring a split into two conferences and potentially four divisions.

How Las Vegas Became a Major Pro Sports Market

Las Vegas has rapidly become one of North America's most dynamic professional sports markets. The Golden Knights launched the city's major league era in 2017. The WNBA's Aces relocated from San Antonio in 2018, the NFL's Raiders arrived in 2020, and the MLB's Athletics plan to open a new ballpark in Las Vegas in 2028. The NBA also approved exploring the addition of an expansion team in the city for the 2028-29 season. San Jose, California, remains the most likely candidate for the PWHL's 12th and final expansion team.