PWHL POPULARITY SKY ROCKETS AS SECOND SEASON LOOMS

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is set to return for its sophomore season, and the excitement is tangible. The new season commences on Saturday, November 30, promising more exhilarating action from this elite North American league.

Season ticket sales have surged by over 50% across all six teams compared to the previous year, according to Amy Scheer, the senior vice president of business operations for the PWHL. «When we opened ticket sales, there was an immediate rush as fans snapped up their season tickets and ticket plans,» Scheer told Reuters. «Our fan base is enthusiastic about attending more games, which is a promising start.»

The PWHL made history by setting a record for the most-watched women’s professional ice hockey game just days into its inaugural season. Minnesota secured the first championship in front of a packed audience in May at Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.

The league’s six teams are primarily located in the Eastern Time Zone, with Minnesota being the only outlier. This season, a nine-game «neutral site» tour will take teams to venues nationwide, from Seattle and Vancouver to Buffalo and Raleigh.

Seattle, which will host a game between the Montreal Victoire and the Boston Fleet at Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL’s Kraken, has expressed interest in permanently hosting a team. «We are exploring the possibility of expansion,» Scheer said. «We’re in discussions with over 20 markets where we believe we could be successful, as well as with individuals who have expressed interest in having a team. We’re currently in the exploration phase.»

Scheer attributes part of the league’s success to its accessibility, as games will be available on YouTube, while ticket prices are set to be affordable for fans. «We made it easy for fans to engage with us and participate,» she said.

The PWHL season kicks off on Saturday, November 30, with the Toronto Sceptres hosting the Boston Fleet and the Montreal Victoire playing at home against the Ottawa Charge.

Main image: Professional women’s ice hockey players Brittany Howard of Toronto and Marie-Philip Poulin of Montreal skating after the puck during a PWHL game in Montreal, April 20, 2024. Toronto defeated Montreal 3–2 in overtime. Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images.

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