PWHL Names Detroit Ninth Franchise for 2026-27

The Professional Women's Hockey League announced Thursday that Detroit will become its ninth franchise, set to debut in the 2026-27 season at Little Caesars Arena.

The expansion team, led by Ilitch Sports Entertainment, will operate under the league's single-entity ownership structure managed by The Women's Growth, or TWG. Practices will take place at the nearby BELFOR Training Center. Detroit's selection followed the same criteria used for previous expansions in Vancouver and Seattle, including top-tier facilities, strong youth hockey programs and proven fan interest demonstrated through four Takeover Tour games hosted in the city since the league's inception. The most recent event drew 15,938 spectators.

"We were continuing to see the perseverance of these fans," said Jayna Hefford, PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations. "It started out with signs that said, 'We want a team,' and it ended with signs that said, 'We deserve a team.'"

The new franchise will feature black and silver as primary colors, reflecting the city's industrial heritage, with white as a secondary color and red accents honoring the Detroit Red Wings' legacy in "Hockeytown." The team name and logo...