While Vancouver wasn’t selected as one of the inaugural six PWHL franchise cities, it will soon become the stage for an epic showdown in women’s hockey.
On Monday, the Vancouver Canucks announced that Rogers Arena will host a game between the newly named Montréal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres on January 8.
The game is one of the nine neutral-site regular season games in the PWHL’s “Takeover Tour,” which will showcase the league in: Seattle, Denver, Quebec City, Buffalo, Raleigh, Detroit, and St. Louis.
Both Toronto and Montreal have seen promising starts to their tenures in the six-team league, finishing first and second in the standings respectively in 2023-24.
“It’s an honour to welcome the PWHL to Rogers Arena, where fans will have the opportunity to see firsthand the incredible talent and passion these athletes bring to the ice,” Canucks president of business operations Michael Doyle said in a press release.
“We’re excited to provide a platform to showcase this excellence and are proud to celebrate the continued growth of the game while inspiring the next generation of athletes.”
Tickets for the Rogers Arena game will go on sale this Friday, November 22 at 10 am PT.
The PWHL is taking over @RogersArena!
Watch the top women's hockey players in the world on Vancouver ice as the Montréal Victoire and Toronto Sceptres face off on January 8, 2025.
Tickets on sale Friday, November 22 at 10AM!
DETAILS | https://t.co/ztsPBSHRVf
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 18, 2024
Despite only being founded last year, the PWHL is already eyeing expansion as early as 2026. While the league hasn’t confirmed which markets it’s exploring, David Pagnotta from The Fourth Period recently reported that Detroit, Calgary, and Pittsburgh are top contenders. The exact number of new teams has yet to be determined.
With preseason action starting this week, the league’s second season officially kicks off on November 30.