The PWHL announced the dates and sites for their upcoming Takeover Tour on Monday morning. The tour consists of 9 stops in the US and Canada on neutral site areas beginning on January 5th. These games will be crucial as to where the 2 expansion teams will be located in the 2026-27 season. A few locations will be along the West Coast, which is a first. Here is a look at each of the 9 tour locations.
“Bringing PWHL games to fans across both countries is a natural next step as we continue building our audience,” “When exploring potential locations for a PWHL game, the enthusiasm from cities eager to engage with our League was incredibly encouraging. The PWHL Takeover Tour lets us showcase our game and exceptional athletes across a wider North American footprint—an exciting moment for our players and an important move for our business as we consider expansion.”
Amy Scheer, PWHL Senior Vice President of Business Operations.
January 5th-Montreal Vs Boston in Seattle, WA
On January 5th, the Climate Pledge Arena (home of the Seattle Kraken) will kick off the Takeover Tour. Montreal and Boston will face off at 4 PM EST. The CPA has a capacity of 18,300. Seattle is a great city to be home to a women’s hockey team. Seattle is home to the OL Reign (National Women’s Soccer League) and the Seattle Storm (Women’s National Basketball Association), so it is known to be an inclusive city and a hot spot for women’s sports.
January 8th-Montreal Vs Toronto in Vancouver
On January 8th, Rogers Arena (home of the Vancouver Canucks) will host stop number two of the Takeover Tour. Montreal and Toronto will face off at 10 PM EST. Rogers Arena has a capacity of 19,700. Vancouver has a strong existing hockey culture, a large female athlete base, and passionate fans (you remember 2011). Vancouver is home to one of the new NSL (Northern Super League). The Vancouver Rise will kick off their season next year.
January 12th-Montreal Vs Minnesota in Denver, CO
On January 12th, Ball Arena (home of the Colorado Avalanche) will host stop number three of the Takeover Tour. Montreal and Minnesota will face off at 3 PM EST. Ball Arena has a capacity of 21,000. Colorado has a growing interest in hockey. They have been involved in women’s hockey with the Denver Women’s Hockey League (DWHL).
January 19th-Ottawa Vs Montreal in Quebec City (tickets on sale now)
On January 19th, Videotron Centre will host stop number four of the Takeover Tour. Ottawa and Montreal will face off at 1 PM EST. Videotron Centre has a capacity of over 18,000. Quebec City has a strong hockey fan base. Their fan base is filled with a lot of passion. They also have a history in hockey that could benefit the PWHL.
***February 16th-Toronto Vs Ottawa (location still TBA)
February 23rd-Boston Vs New York in Buffalo, NY
On February 23rd, KeyBank Center (home of the Buffalo Sabres) will host stop number six of the Takeover Tour. Boston and New York will face off at 4 PM EST. KeyBank Center has a capacity of 19,200. Buffalo may not be an ideal location for a PWHL team, only because of the Sirens. The Sirens do not play in New York. Do not count out Buffalo for a potential home to one of the new PWHL teams. The Buffalo Beauts were one of the PHF teams, they were a founding franchise of the NWHL. There is a history of women’s hockey in Buffalo.
March 7th-Ottawa Vs Minnesota in Raleigh, NC
On March 7th, the Lenovo Center will host stop number seven of the Takeover Tour. Ottawa and Minneosta will face off at 7 PM EST. Lenovo Center has a capacity of 18,700. Raleigh is a hockey market and thrives well in North Carolina. There is a strong history of women in hockey, such as Alyssa Gagliardi. The Carolina Hurricanes show support to women’s hockey and youth programs.
March 16th-Minnesota Vs New York in Detroit, MI
On March 16th, Little Caesar’s Arena (home of the Detroit Red Wings) will host stop number eight of the Takeover Tour. Minnesota and New York will face off at 7:30 PM EST. Little Caesar’s arena has a capacity of 19,515. Detroit was a host of one of the neutral site games last season. The arena set the highest attendance in the US with 13,736 fans. Michigan is home to many women’s hockey greats like Megan Keller, Taylor Girard, Shiann Darkangelo, Madison Packer, and Abby Roque. Geographically, Detroit is close to Canada as well as the rest of the current US teams. Michigan is known as the hockey town for a reason. Detroit is certainly a contender for one of the PWHL expansion spots.
March 29th-Ottawa Vs Boston in St. Louis, MO
On March 29th, Enterprise Center (home of the St. Louis Blues) will host the last stop of the takeover tour. Ottawa and Boston will face off at 2 PM EST. Enterprise Center has a capacity of 18,096. St. Louis has strong girls’ youth participation, and the Blues invest in growing the sport, and there are many available facilities. Blues president/CEO Chris Zimmerman has expressed his interest in a PWHL for St. Louis.
These games will be without a doubt, a big factor in where the next 2 teams will be. Tickets are available here! Tickets go on pre-sale on November, 21st and general sale on November, 22nd.
