PWHL expansion and broadcasting developments

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is implementing significant structural and broadcasting changes for its upcoming fourth season, which is scheduled to run from December 5, 2026, through April 18, 2027.

Structurally, the league has expanded to 12 teams and will divide into Eastern and Western Conferences. The Eastern Conference includes the Boston Fleet, PWHL Hamilton, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres, while the Western Conference comprises PWHL Detroit, PWHL Las Vegas, Minnesota Frost, PWHL San Jose, Seattle Torrent, and Vancouver Goldeneyes. With the addition of four expansion franchises—Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose, and Hamilton—the total number of regular-season games will increase from 120 to 180. Each team will play 30 regular-season games, consisting of 18 intra-conference and 12 inter-conference matchups.

The postseason format is also expanding from a four-team playoff to an eight-team format. The top four teams from each conference will qualify for a best-of-three first-round series, followed by best-of-five conference finals and a best-of-five series for the Walter Cup. Additionally, the league will host its first All-Star event on March 7, 2027, at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

In terms of media coverage, the PWHL has reached an agreement with the CBC to feature eight Saturday night games on the ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ program during the 2026-27 season. This follows the expiration of a sub-licensing agreement between the CBC and Rogers Communications. The inaugural broadcast under this arrangement is set for December 5, featuring the Montreal Victoire against a new expansion team from Hamilton.