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
Toronto Tempo Could Make WNBA Attendance History in Montreal
The Toronto Tempo are on the verge of making WNBA history when they bring their Cross-Canada Series to Montreal next month.
The Tempo will face the Atlanta Dream at the Bell Centre on July 10, with the possibility of setting a new attendance record for a WNBA game. If the game sells out, more than 22,000 fans would fill the arena, surpassing the current WNBA regular-season attendance record of 20,711 set by the Washington Mystics at Capital One Arena in 2024.
A packed Bell Centre would also eclipse the WNBA playoff attendance record of 22,076, which was established during Game 3 of the 2003 WNBA Finals between the Detroit Shock and Los Angeles Sparks before being matched in Game 5 of the 2007 WNBA Finals between the Phoenix Mercury and Detroit Shock. It would mark the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s basketball regular-season game, breaking the previous record of 21,490 set during an Unrivaled game in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The potential milestone comes during the Tempo‘s inaugural WNBA season and would add another chapter to the continued growth of women’s basketball in Canada.
“Playing two games in Montreal this summer is a huge moment for the Tempo and for basketball in Canada,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “From the beginning, we’ve said we want to be Canada’s team, and bringing the WNBA to Montreal is an important part of that vision. There is such a strong and passionate basketball community in Quebec, and we’re excited to connect with fans there in a meaningful way. We can’t wait to experience the energy inside the Bell Centre and continue growing the game across the country together.”
The Cross-Canada Series will offer more than basketball. Throughout the weekend, the Tempo will host community events, youth programs and fan experiences aimed at growing the sport across Quebec.
The team is partnering with Ball Her Way and the Mathurin Family Foundation to increase access to basketball for young athletes, including a girls’ 3-on-3 tournament presented by Canadian Tire featuring teams from Montreal and Quebec City. The Tempo say more community investments and programming in the Montreal area will be announced in the coming months.
Fans can take part in Tempo Live at the Bell Centre on July 11. The free event will include interactive basketball activities, community clinics, exclusive merchandise and family-friendly entertainment.
The weekend concludes on July 12, when the Tempo host the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty at the Bell Centre at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Cross-Canada Series.
Tickets for both Montreal games are available through Ticketmaster.
Sports
Toronto Tempo Unveil Bold “Rebel” Uniform Ahead of Inaugural Home Opener
The Toronto Tempo have revealed their new “Rebel” edition uniform, giving fans a first look at the alternate jersey the team will wear during its inaugural WNBA season.
The unveiling comes just ahead of the Tempo’s first-ever home opener and marks another milestone for the league’s newest franchise as it continues to establish its identity on and off the court.
The Rebel uniform is part of the WNBA’s league-wide alternate jersey program, which encourages each franchise to create a design that reflects its values, community, and culture. For the Tempo, that vision extends beyond Toronto.
The front of the jersey features “Tempo” across the chest, reinforcing the organization’s message that, while the club calls Toronto home, it represents basketball fans across Canada. The design is centered around the team’s secondary “T” logo, with speed lines extending outward to symbolize movement, pace, and the style of play the Tempo hope to bring to the court.
The uniform is finished in Borealis Blue, offering a cool contrast to the team’s signature Tempo Bordeaux colour. Flowing lines throughout the shorts are meant to capture the rhythm and motion of basketball, creating a look that emphasizes speed and constant movement.
The jersey also highlights two of the franchise’s founding partners. Beauty retailer Sephora appears on the shoulder, while CIBC’s logo is featured on the front of the jersey.
“The Rebel uniform is where we push boundaries and fully express who we are as the Toronto Tempo,” said Whitney Bell, the team’s Chief Marketing Officer, in a statement. “It’s bold, unapologetic, and rooted in the energy of our city. Every detail is designed to celebrate individuality, creativity, and the next generation of athletes and fans redefining the game. This jersey isn’t just something you wear—it’s a statement about where we’re going.”
Fans won’t have to wait long to get their own. The Toronto Tempo’s Rebel jersey is available now through the team’s online store (shop.torontotempo.com) as excitement continues to build for the franchise’s first season in the WNBA.