Sports
PWHL Eyes Expansion for 2025-26 Season, Keeping All Options Open
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is setting the stage for potential expansion, with league executives exploring the addition of up to two new teams for the 2025-26 season. The organization has made it clear that no North American market is off the table as they look to build on the momentum from their inaugural season.
Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford emphasized the league’s open-minded approach, stating, “I don’t think we rule out any market. This is a good opportunity for us to learn and continue to explore. So everything’s on the table right now.”
To illustrate just how broad the search will be, Senior Vice President for Business Operations Amy Scheer revealed that the PWHL is preparing to send out over 20 requests for proposals for expansion by next week, with even more potential markets able to approach the league on their own. “I think we want to be an open book, and I think we want to be open to things that we haven’t thought about or things that we haven’t considered,” she said. “Until we have the data and the facts and the conversations, we might be surprised. So let’s go for it.”
Identifying Potential Expansion Cities
The initial timeline calls for proposals to be submitted by the end of December, at which point the league will assess interest and feasibility. While the goal is to introduce two new teams by next year, Hefford and Scheer are cautious about making guarantees.
The league, which currently includes teams in Boston, Newark (New Jersey), St. Paul (Minnesota), Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, is keeping all possibilities open. Market size, arena access, economic partnerships, and fan engagement will be key considerations in determining new locations.
Several cities have already emerged as potential candidates. In the U.S., Detroit and Pittsburgh stand out, having hosted neutral-site games last season. Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, and Denver are also in contention. Meanwhile, in Canada, Quebec City has expressed its desire to join the league, while Calgary, a former home to the Canadian Women’s Hockey League’s Inferno, remains an attractive option. Southern California and Seattle are also under consideration. “This is a good opportunity for us to learn and continue to explore,” Hefford reiterated.
A League on the Rise
Expansion discussions come at an opportune time for the PWHL, which has had time to stabilize following a whirlwind inaugural season. The league was launched in June 2023 after Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter acquired and merged the Premier Hockey Federation into the new organization. With Walter’s financial backing, the league has secured long-term stability, allowing for steady growth.
The PWHL made a strong first impression, averaging nearly 5,500 fans per game across its 72-game regular season. The league also set a record for women’s professional hockey attendance when 21,105 fans packed the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens arena for a matchup between Toronto and Montreal. Major sponsorships with brands like Scotiabank, Air Canada, Discover, and Hyundai have bolstered its financial outlook, and a YouTube streaming deal has attracted 113,000 subscribers.
With an expanded 30-game schedule this season, up from 24 last year, the PWHL is looking at even more ambitious projects for the future, including a potential outdoor game and international matchups in Europe.
Expanding the Talent Pool
Beyond business growth, expansion would help accommodate a rising number of elite players looking to compete at the highest level. In June, 167 players from 19 countries declared for the PWHL draft, but only 42 were selected. Adding new teams would open more roster spots for both European players and the next wave of U.S. college graduates.
“The talent pool is only going to continue to grow,” Hefford noted, reinforcing the need for strategic expansion.
While no final decisions have been made, the PWHL is committed to making thoughtful, sustainable choices. “We will make the right decisions based on growth for hockey, financial decisions, what is the best way to move forward,” Scheer said. “Nobody here is making rash decisions.”
As for the long-term vision, Hefford remains optimistic but cautious about setting a definitive cap on the number of teams. “We know we want to grow,” she said. “But I have a really hard time throwing out a number right now.”
With its second season set to begin on Nov. 30, the PWHL is proving that women’s hockey has a bright and expansive future ahead.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Reveal 2026 “After Dark” Home Kit
Vancouver Rise FC has revealed its new “After Dark” home kit for the 2026 Northern Super League season, pulling inspiration straight from the natural setting that surrounds its home at Swangard Stadium.
The design pays tribute to Central Park in Burnaby, with visuals that reflect the quiet, layered beauty of the park at night. Tree silhouettes stretch across the kit, creating a sense of depth and movement—meant to mirror the experience of looking up through the canopy after dark.
The club says the concept ties closely to its motto, “Stronger by Nature,” grounding the team’s identity in the environment that surrounds it. The design blends all crest colours with added tones that bring warmth and balance, giving the kit a look that feels both rooted and refined. Paired with classic shorts and socks, it leans into tradition while still telling a clear local story.
A key detail returns on both the After Dark kit and the club’s secondary “Sunshine Kit” for 2026. A Gold Pointed Star sits on the left sleeve, marking Vancouver Rise FC as the inaugural champions of the Northern Super League. The patch represents the league’s top honour and signals the club’s early place in its history.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley praised the design and its connection to the community, pointing to the pride residents have in their parks and green spaces. He added that seeing Central Park reflected in the team’s identity makes the return to Swangard Stadium for the new season feel even more meaningful.
The After Dark kit leans heavily into place and atmosphere. It’s less about flash and more about identity—something that feels tied to where the team plays and who shows up for them.
Pre-orders for both the After Dark and Sunshine kits are now available through the club’s official store, with options for delivery or in-stadium pickup.
Sports
Vancouver Rise FC Transfer Holly Ward to NWSL Side Seattle Reign FC
Vancouver Rise FC has made a major statement about its player development pathway. The club announced Friday that winger Holly Ward has been transferred to Seattle Reign FC of the National Women’s Soccer League for an undisclosed fee.
The move marks the first time a Rise FC Academy graduate has been transferred out of the club, setting a new benchmark for the organization and the broader Northern Super League.
Sporting director Stephanie Labbé called the transfer a defining moment. She pointed to Ward’s rise through the system as proof that the league is doing what it set out to do—create real opportunities for Canadian players.
Ward’s journey with the club began in 2018 when she joined the Rise FC Academy, then known as the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite Academy. Seven years later, she returned home to sign her first professional deal ahead of the 2025 season.
The 22-year-old from North Vancouver wasted no time making an impact. She started 27 of 28 matches in her rookie campaign, scoring eight goals and adding five assists. Her biggest moment came in the league’s inaugural final, where she scored the winner in a 2–1 victory over AFC Toronto to secure the Diana B. Matheson Cup.
Speaking about the move, Ward described her time in Vancouver as a dream realized. Playing professionally in her hometown and helping deliver a championship made the experience hard to leave behind, though she expressed excitement about the next step in her career.
Her breakout season didn’t go unnoticed at the international level. Ward earned her first senior call-up to the Canadian women’s national team and made history on June 3 by becoming the first NSL player to score for Canada in a match against Haiti.
Head coach Anja Heiner-Møller praised Ward’s growth and character, highlighting her attacking ability, work ethic, and presence in the locker room. She noted that Ward’s development—from academy prospect to national team contributor—reflects the strength of the club’s environment.
The transfer is a significant step for Rise FC as it begins to participate in the global player market, something the club sees as key to long-term growth. It also reinforces the idea that young Canadian players can develop at home and still reach top leagues abroad.
Rise FC now turns its focus to the upcoming season. The club will open its 2026 campaign with a championship rematch against AFC Toronto on April 24 at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. PT.
Fans can purchase single-match tickets or explore package options, including season memberships that cover all 13 home games and flexible ticket bundles built around the home opener.