PWHL awards expansion team to Vancouver and already has colour scheme picked
It’s official. Vancouver is getting a brand-new women’s professional hockey team.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League is expanding west, and Vancouver has been selected for a franchise. After a week of speculation, the official announcement was made today by the league on downtown Vancouver rooftop on a picture-perfect day.
The Vancouver Angels U11 girls team helped make the big announcement.
Vancouver Angels U11 girls team made the big announcement (PWHL)
The Vancouver team, which has not yet been named, will join for year three of the PWHL starting in the 2025-26 season, joining Montreal, Toronto, New York, Boston, Minnesota, and Ottawa.
The new Vancouver team will play out of the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE, with the Agrodome serving as the team’s practice facility. Both arenas will undergo significant upgrades, including the dressing rooms and training facilities, before next season. The Pacific Coliseum will also be getting broadcast upgrades to ensure the games can be televised properly.
While a team name has not yet been revealed, the league has confirmed that the Vancouver franchise’s primary colour will be Pacific Blue, and the secondary colour will be cream.
A look at the colour scheme (PWHL)
“This is a historic day for our league, our fans, our athletes, and our sport,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice president of business operations, in a press release. “Vancouver is a vibrant city with a deep love for the game — as we saw firsthand during the PWHL Takeover Tour earlier this season.”
“Expanding to Vancouver reflects the growing momentum behind the league and the incredible passion of our fanbase since launching in January 2024. We’re proud to bring the PWHL to the West Coast and provide more fans with the opportunity to experience live the best women’s hockey players in the world.”
The news follows 19,038 fans packing Rogers Arena in January to watch the Montreal Victoire take on the Toronto Sceptors as part of the league’s Takeover Tour. That game proved there is a high demand for women’s hockey in Vancouver and confirmed the city as an attractive destination for expansion.
Merchandise for the unnamed team is already available online. There are hoodies available for $85, sweaters for $110, and t-shirts for $50.
There will be no local owner as all PWHL teams are centrally owned by the Mark Walter Group.
The Vancouver roster will be filled through an expansion draft. More details on the specifics of how that will work are expected to come in the next few weeks. They will also be integrated into the league’s June 24 entry draft.
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