Coast to Coast: The PWHL Expands to Vancouver

Vancouver is officially stepping into the professional women’s hockey spotlight. The PWHL has confirmed what many on the West Coast have dreamed of: the league is coming to the Pacific.

Starting in the 2025-26 season, Vancouver will become the newest destination for the best women’s hockey talent. The league is bringing the game to a city with immense potential and a pretty incredible fanbase. From the Stanley Cup Playoffs to Olympic gold medal games, this city never fails to show up and show out. Now, with a hometown PWHL team, there’s a whole new reason to bring the passion.

Courtesy of the PWHL

For the PWHL, the move out west was always a matter of “when” not “if,” and Vancouver is a perfect match. It’s a city that breathes hockey, but has awaited far too long to see the women’s game represented on a professional stage. After an overwhelming response to a sold-out PWHL Takeover Tour game at Rogers Arena earlier this year, the league knew it was time.

The decision to bring the PWHL to Vancouver came after an incredibly competitive proposal process involving over 20 interested cities, with Vancouver coming out on top with a bid to grow the game.

It’s the kind of moment that gives you goosebumps–where a city’s love for hockey is met with a league that is changing the game. Vancouver is becoming part of a story that will only continue to grow season after season.

Courtesy of the PWHL

No name yet? No problem. Until the official team name and logo are unveiled, they’re going with the name PWHL Vancouver, similar to how the original six teams did in their inaugural season. The vibe of the city is perfectly captured with the team colors being pacific blue and cream. Given this and the fashion demand in Vancouver, don’t be surprised if the merch starts flying off the shelves before the puck even drops.

Vancouver’s team might not have a roster just yet, but it’s officially in the mix for the 2025 PWHL Draft, scheduled for June 24 in Ottawa. With a tight timeline, things are moving fast for the new team. Roster building will kick off shortly and fans won’t have to wait long to meet their first franchise stars.

Details on how the expansion draft will work are also expected to be announced in the coming weeks. It will determine the rest of Vancouver’s roster, filling in the gaps left after the entry draft. Expect some serious strategy here–building a new team from scratch isn’t a small goal. Alongside those player picks, keep an eye out for upcoming announcements on front office staff and coaching hires.

Courtesy of the PWHL

The team will be playing at the iconic Pacific Coliseum, a venue rich in hockey history and located right within the PNE grounds. The Coliseum is going to be getting a facelift before the season too, with updates to locker rooms, facilities and upgrades to make watching the game as exciting as the action itself.

Just steps away, Vancouver’s players will train at the PNE Agrodome, creating a fully accessible center for all things PWHL Vancouver. With the upcoming renovations and the nostalgia tied to the location, the setup is seemingly perfect.

Courtesy of the PWHL

This isn’t just another expansion–it’s a milestone. Vancouver marks the PWHL’s first expansion and first push to the West Coast. It joins the elite group of the founding markets in Toronto, Boston, Minnesota, New York, Montréal and Ottawa, and is a bold signal that the league is more than ready to expand across the continent, to connect coast to coast.

Clearly, Vancouver is ready, and there’s no doubt the league is too.

Courtesy of the PWHL

Now we find ourselves on the edge of something fresh and incredible on the West Coast. A new team, a new colour scheme and a new set of dreams becoming a reality. This expansion is a statement of the growth women’s hockey continues to see. That fans are ready, and all that’s left is to wait for the puck to drop in Vancouver.

Edited by Jenna Mandarano