The Professional Women’s Hockey League selected San Jose as an expansion city for a new professional women’s hockey team to begin play in the 2026-2027 season starting in November. The team is unnamed and will join expansion franchises in Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton, Ontario, bringing the league to 12 teams. The expansion is backed by Sharks Sports & Entertainment and the city of San Jose. Home games will be played at SAP Center, with training at Sharks Ice at San Jose. San Jose becomes the first California team in the league and the third West Coast team alongside Seattle and Vancouver. The league cites strong Bay Area support for women’s sports and a deep professional and youth hockey culture, supported by high female hockey participation and major local rink capacity.
"The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced Tuesday that San Jose's new professional women's hockey team, which has yet to be named, is set to play in the league's 20262027 season starting in November. Along with San Jose, expansion teams were also awarded to Detroit, Las Vegas, and Hamilton, Ontario, bringing the league's roster to 12 teams. The expansion to San Jose was spearheaded by Sharks Sports & Entertainment and the city of San Jose, according to the league."
"San Jose's home games will be at SAP Center with training taking place at Sharks Ice at San Jose. San Jose is the first California team in the women's hockey league, and it joins Seattle and Vancouver as the league's third West Coast team, per KPIX. In its statement, the PWHL cites the Bay Area's overwhelming support for women's sports teams, including the Bay Football Club and the Golden State Valkyries, as motivation for choosing San Jose, in addition to the city's well established professional and youth hockey culture."
""Between a deeply rooted hockey culture, rapidly booming women's sports scene, and a community known for growth and innovation, said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President, Business Operations, San Jose offers a dynamic stage for the PWHL to expand its reach and build lasting momentum.""
"As KTVU reports, female hockey participation in California is ranked sixth in the nation at 3,841 registered players, and a new round of young players in men's hockey, including Sharks stand-out Macklin Celebrini, has gained the interest of a new crop of local fans to the sport. The outlet also notes that Sharks Ice at San Jose is one of the largest ice rinks in the Western US."
Read at sfist.com
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