The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has announced its schedule for the 2026/27 season, marking a significant expansion that will see the league grow from eight to twelve teams. Four new franchises—Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose—are set to join the competition, which begins on December 5th.
Introduction of Conferences and Regional Divisions
Alongside the increase in teams, the PWHL is implementing its inaugural conference structure to accommodate the expanded lineup. The league will be split into two conferences based on geography. The East Conference will feature Boston, Hamilton, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, and Toronto, while the West Conference will include Detroit, Las Vegas, Minnesota, San Jose, Seattle, and Vancouver.
Each team is scheduled to play a total of 30 games during the regular season, which will run through April 18th. This slate includes 18 games against conference rivals and 12 crossover games against teams from the opposite conference, enhancing regional rivalries and broadening competitive opportunities.
Jayna Hefford, Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations, highlighted the significance of this growth, stating, “With 12 teams, new conferences, and more games than ever before, this schedule reflects the PWHL’s monumental growth.” She emphasized the potential for heightened competition and intensified rivalries brought about by the new format, promising an exciting season from the first puck drop until the Walter Cup is awarded.