PWHL: 9 neutral-site games including Vancouver and Quebec City
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is embarking on an exciting journey with its “Takeover Tour,” which will bring women’s pro hockey to various cities across North America. The league has announced a nine-date schedule of neutral site games, aiming to showcase its game and exceptional athletes to a wider audience.
The “Takeover Tour” will feature games in six U.S. cities – Raleigh, Buffalo, Detroit, St. Louis, Denver, and Seattle – as well as Canadian stops in Vancouver and Quebec City. One site for a game is yet to be announced. This initiative comes as the PWHL gears up for its second season, set to kick off on Nov. 30. Additionally, plans are in place to expand the league by adding up to two more teams by the 2025-26 season.
Amy Scheer, PWHL’s senior vice president of business operations, expressed excitement about the opportunity to bring PWHL games to fans across North America. She emphasized the importance of expanding the league’s audience and business, noting that the “Takeover Tour” is a significant step in that direction.
In addition to the North American tour, the league is exploring the possibility of holding neutral site games in Europe following the conclusion of the current season. Detroit will host a game between defending champion Minnesota and New York on March 16, marking a return to the city where last year’s neutral site game drew a crowd of 13,736. Buffalo is also on the list of host cities, with a game between Boston and New York scheduled for Feb. 23.
The inclusion of Buffalo in the tour is particularly noteworthy, as it marks the return of women’s pro hockey to the city after the departure of the Beauts, a team that was part of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). The PWHL was established after the NWHL was bought out in June 2023, leading to the league’s rebranding as the Premier Hockey Federation.
With the exception of Quebec City, where the game will be played at the Videotron Centre, the other seven announced neutral-site games will take place at the NHL arenas in each host city. Quebec City, which has expressed interest in landing a PWHL expansion franchise, is actively pursuing the opportunity to bring women’s pro hockey to the city.
Each of the PWHL’s six teams will participate in at least two neutral site games as part of the expanded schedule for the upcoming season. The neutral site schedule will kick off with Montreal facing Boston in Seattle on Jan. 5, followed by matchups in Vancouver, Denver, and Quebec City. The tour will conclude with games in Raleigh and St. Louis in March.
The PWHL’s “Takeover Tour” promises to be a thrilling showcase of women’s pro hockey, with games in diverse locations across North America. Fans can look forward to witnessing top-tier talent and competitive matchups as the league continues to grow and expand its reach.
