Shot On Goal: PWHL Motors To Detroit; More Expansion, Changes To Follow

By Barry Janoff

May 6, 2026: Calling it an honor “to bring the PWHL to a sports community where women and girls have already put hockey on the map,” the PWHL has unveiled expansion to Detroit as the league’s ninth team, scheduled to debut for the 2026–27 season.

Detroit’s bid was led by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, the business arm of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, and operators of Little Caesars Arena, in which the team will play.

The team’s practice home will be BELFOR Training Center, which is part of the arena’s complex.

The league said the decision to expand to Detroit “reflects the league’s long-term vision for strategic growth.” 

“The Detroit area and the state of Michigan have one of the strongest youth hockey development systems in the world, especially for girls,” Jayna Hefford, PWHL evp-hockey operations, said via the league, “which is further exemplified by world-class facilities at Little Caesars Arena and a deep commitment from Ilitch Sports + Entertainment to advancing our sport.

“We are honored to bring the PWHL to a sports community where women and girls have already put hockey on the map, and advance that incredible culture by offering young athletes a professional league they can strive for.” (See a promo spot here.)

Detroit-based Ally Financial all-digital bank will serve as the official bank and first official partner of PWHL Detroit.

To support the PWHL’s newest market, Detroit will host the 2026 PWHL Awards Ceremony, presented by Ally, June 16, and the 2026 PWHL Draft, presented by Upper Deck June 17, with the Draft taking place in Fox Theatre as a ticketed event open to fans.

PWHL Detroit joins the PWHL’s eight current markets: Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Toronto and 2025-26 expansion teams Seattle and Vancouver.

The PWHL and all of its teams are owned by the Mark Walter Group. The Advisory Board of the PWHL is formed by Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Stan Kasten, and Royce Cohen.

Expansion is expected to continue, with AP Sports reporting that the PWHL is preparing to add as many as four markets (including Detroit) for next season.

“As part of expansion, PWHL executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer said the league is exploring the idea of splitting into two separate conferences and potentially four divisions. The playoff format could also expand to include more teams from the current four,” according to AP Sports.

The expansion to Detroit comes after the city hosted four PWHL Takeover Tour games in the PWHL's three seasons.

Ally was a presenting sponsor of PWHL Takeover Tour games — featuring to date 16 games hosted in neutral-site cities — in Detroit and Raleigh, and partnered with the league and Scripps Sports to present the national telecast of a PWHL game in the United States this past March.

During the league's inaugural 2023-24 season, Detroit set a U.S. professional women's hockey attendance record with 13,736 fans in Little Caesars Arena. 

The next season, Detroit set another U.S. record with 14,288 fans in the venue.

This past season season, Detroit hosted two PWHL Takeover Tour games, one in January, and the one in March that drew 15,938 people. 

“Detroit is one of the great hockey cities, shaped by generations of players, teams, and fans who have helped grow the game at every level. Bringing a PWHL team to Little Caesars Arena is an exciting next step for our city and for the continued momentum of women’s hockey,” Chris Ilitch, president and CEO, Ilitch Companies, said via the organization.

“This moment also reflects our broader vision of using sports as a catalyst for Detroit’s continued revitalization — strengthening community engagement, supporting economic growth, and contributing to the city’s long-term development. We’re proud to support the PWHL’s growth, welcome these athletes to our city, and inspire the next generation of women and girls to pursue the game at the highest level.”

“We are honored to bring the PWHL to a sports community where women and girls have already put hockey on the map."

The PWHL is revamping its expansion rules, including the elimination of an expansion player draft, according to AP Sports. “There’s two priorities that we’re trying to match, which are competitive balance within the league, and player experience and ensuring they are happy with the process,” Hefford told AP Sports.. 

The PWHL said details about further expansion, a forthcoming expansion roster building process, and how Detroit will be integrated into the 2026 PWHL Draft will be shared in the coming weeks.

The PWHL said in its third season it surpassed one million single-season attendees for the first time, the partnership portfolio grew by 35%, online merchandise sales increased by 50%, and social platforms generated more than 682 million impressions.

PWHL Shows Major Growth In Attendance, Marketing, Merch, Impact

PWHL Adds Seattle To Roster, But Is Expansion Over?

PWHL Expands To Vancouver With First West Coast Team

Back to Home Page.