After a rollercoaster NHL season and a bittersweet end for the Vancouver Canucks, local hockey fans finally have a fresh reason to celebrate: Vancouver is officially getting a new professional hockey team — and this time, it’s a game-changer for women’s sports.
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has confirmed its expansion into Vancouver, marking the league’s first West Coast franchise. The yet-to-be-named team is scheduled to debut in the 2025–26 season, with home games hosted at an upgraded Pacific Coliseum — a historic venue that once served as home ice for the Vancouver Canucks.
A Landmark Moment for Women’s Hockey in B.C.
The PWHL currently comprises six teams located in major eastern cities, including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, New York, and St. Paul, Minnesota. With the addition of Vancouver, the league will welcome its seventh official franchise, expanding its national and cross-border reach.
“This is more than just a new hockey team,” said a spokesperson for the PWHL. “It’s an investment in the future of women’s sports and a recognition of the incredible passion and potential found on the West Coast.”
Vancouver’s inclusion in the league couldn’t come at a better time. With the popularity of girls’ and women’s hockey growing rapidly across British Columbia, the arrival of a professional team is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes — and draw dedicated fans eager to support elite-level women’s hockey.
Building a Team, Reviving a Rink
While the new team’s official name and branding have yet to be revealed, preparations are already underway. The iconic Pacific Coliseum, long considered a sleeping giant in Vancouver’s sports scene, will receive upgrades to host the team starting in the fall of 2025.
The return of professional hockey to the Coliseum — which last hosted the WHL’s Vancouver Giants before their move to Langley — breathes new life into the arena and the surrounding Hastings Park neighbourhood.
Why Vancouver? The PWHL’s Westward Vision
The PWHL’s decision to expand westward is no accident. In recent years, Vancouver has become a hub for emerging talent in women’s hockey, boasting high participation rates in youth leagues, a strong minor hockey infrastructure, and a passionate fan base.
“Bringing professional women’s hockey to Vancouver is a natural next step,” said a league official. “There’s an incredible appetite here for the sport — from grassroots to the professional level.”
The move also balances the league geographically. With all six current teams clustered in the eastern U.S. and Canada, Vancouver provides the PWHL with critical West Coast representation and opens the door for potential regional rivalries.
Could Seattle Be Next?
Rumours are swirling about the PWHL potentially adding an eighth team — with Seattle named as a top contender. While league executives have not confirmed the speculation, the geographic proximity of Vancouver and Seattle could help foster a fierce Pacific Northwest rivalry, mirroring the historic Canucks–Kraken and Seahawks–49ers clashes.
“If Seattle joins the mix, that could be one of the league’s most exciting matchups,” noted one sports analyst. “We could see the birth of a new cross-border rivalry in women’s pro hockey.”
What’s Next for PWHL Vancouver?
For now, the team is simply referred to as “PWHL Vancouver,” but fans can expect more details on name, colours, branding, and roster development in the coming months.
The PWHL is expected to hold an expansion draft ahead of the 2025–26 season, giving Vancouver the opportunity to build a competitive roster from league veterans and emerging talent alike. With the momentum behind the women’s hockey movement stronger than ever, early projections indicate strong ticket demand and community support.
The Bottom Line
Vancouver’s new PWHL franchise marks a historic milestone for the city and for women’s hockey in Canada. With a professional team set to take the ice in 2025, a renovated Pacific Coliseum ready to roar, and the West Coast hockey scene gaining new life, fans have every reason to get excited.
Whether you’re a lifelong hockey devotee or new to the sport, there’s never been a better time to support women’s hockey in Vancouver.
