The Professional Women's Hockey League announced Wednesday that it is adding a ninth franchise in Detroit [1].
This expansion marks a significant step in the league's strategy to grow its market footprint and increase competition across the sport. By entering a major U.S. sports market, the league aims to solidify its presence in the American Midwest and broaden its fan base.
The Detroit team is scheduled to debut during the 2026-27 season [1]. Beyond the addition of the Michigan-based club, the league announced plans to add two to four additional franchises for that same season [2].
To populate these new rosters, the PWHL is departing from traditional sports norms. The league will not hold a traditional expansion draft [3]. Instead, the organization will utilize multiple signing windows to build its new teams. This approach allows the league to manage talent distribution differently than the standard draft process used by other professional sports leagues.
The announcement on May 7, 2026, signals an aggressive growth phase for the league [1]. By increasing the total number of teams, the PWHL is expanding the professional opportunities available to women hockey players across North America.
League officials said the move is part of a broader off-ice growth strategy [1]. This strategy focuses on sustainable expansion, and the creation of new markets to ensure the long-term viability of the professional game [5].
“The league added a ninth franchise in Detroit”
The decision to forgo a traditional expansion draft in favor of signing windows suggests the PWHL is prioritizing roster flexibility and talent acquisition over the rigid structure of established leagues. By adding up to five new teams in a single cycle, the league is rapidly scaling its infrastructure to capture market share and increase the professional player pool before the 2026-27 season.
