### PWHL Expansion: Seattle and Vancouver Join the League for 2025-26 Season The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is set to expand its footprint in North America by adding two new teams in the Pacific Northwest: Seattle and Vancouver. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the league, which aims to enhance the visibility and competitiveness of women's professional hockey. The new franchises will begin play in the 2025-26 season, bringing the total number of teams in the league to eight. This move is expected to foster regional rivalries and increase fan engagement in the area, as Seattle will join Vancouver as the second team on the West Coast, following the announcement of Vancouver's franchise just a week prior [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6325181/2025/05/01/pwhl-expansion-vancouver-seattle-womens-hockey]. ### Structure of the Expansion Announcement 1. **Overview of Expansion Plans** - The PWHL has officially announced the addition of Seattle as its eighth franchise, alongside Vancouver, for the 2025-26 season [https://www.reuters.com/sports/pwhl-announces-seattle-expansion-franchise-2025-26-season-2025-04-30]. - The league aims to grow further, with plans to add two more teams by the 2026-27 season [https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-selects-seattle-for-2nd-expansion-franchise-plans-to-add-another-2-by-2026-27/article_c93cb80a-f27c-594e-92d8-76ea4c26541f.html]. 2. **Details of the New Teams** - Seattle's team will play at Climate Pledge Arena and practice at the Kraken Community Iceplex [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/pwhl_announces_expansion_to_seattle/s1_16448_42130206]. - The team will operate under the name "PWHL Seattle" until an official name is announced, with team colors set to be green and cream [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/pwhl_announces_expansion_to_seattle/s1_16448_42130206]. 3. **Impact on Women's Hockey** - The expansion is expected to enhance the profile of women's hockey in the Pacific Northwest, joining other professional women's sports teams in Seattle, such as the WNBA's Storm and NWSL's Reign [https://www.oregonlive.com/hockey/2025/04/pwhls-expansion-into-pacific-northwest-continues.html]. - The league's growth reflects a broader trend of increasing support and interest in women's sports [https://www.fox2detroit.com/sports/pwhl-announces-seattle-second-expansion-team]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Team Expansion Timeline** - Vancouver announced as the first expansion team: April 23, 2025 [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/04/30/sports/pwhl-expansion-seattle-vancouver]. - Seattle confirmed as the second expansion team: April 30, 2025 [https://www.nhl.com/news/pwhl-notebook-expansion-teams-announced-for-vancouver-and-seattle-april-30]. - **Future Growth Plans** - The PWHL is looking to expand to a total of ten teams by the 2026-27 season, indicating a strong commitment to growth and sustainability in women's professional hockey [https://www.yardbarker.com/pwhl/articles/report_pwhl_looking_to_add_two_more_teams_in_2026_27/s1_16958_42132255]. ### Conclusion: A New Era for Women's Hockey The PWHL's expansion into Seattle and Vancouver represents a pivotal moment for women's professional hockey, with the following key points: 1. **Expansion to Eight Teams**: The league will grow to eight teams with the addition of Seattle and Vancouver for the 2025-26 season [https://www.nhl.com/kraken/news/pwhl-expansion-seattle-announcement-ft]. 2. **Regional Rivalries**: The new franchises are expected to create exciting rivalries and enhance fan engagement in the Pacific Northwest [https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/seattle-shares-excitement-over-professional-womens-hockey-league-expansion/YX773L3O45C5PN6MAPJ23MOMFU]. 3. **Future Growth**: Plans are already in place to add two more teams by the 2026-27 season, indicating a robust growth strategy for the league [https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-selects-seattle-for-2nd-expansion-franchise-plans-to-add-another-2-by-2026-27/article_c93cb80a-f27c-594e-92d8-76ea4c26541f.html]. This expansion not only enhances the competitive landscape of women's hockey but also signifies a growing recognition and support for women's sports in general.