Story perspectives

PWHL Seeks to Sustain Olympic Momentum and Boost Attendance

2/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) aims to capitalize on heightened visibility after the Winter Olympics.
Hilary Knight, the U.S. captain, stressed the importance of maintaining fan engagement beyond the Olympics.
Ticket sales and merchandise surged, with a 101% increase in February.
Despite gains, some teams still experience low attendance.
As the PWHL resumes play, it aims to sustain momentum and grow its audience.

History

Historical Context

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) was established in August 2023, following the collapse of the Canadian Women's Hockey League in 2019 and the formation of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association (PWHPA). The PWHL aims to create a sustainable professional environment for women's hockey, featuring six teams in North America and a collective bargaining agreement ensuring minimum salaries and benefits, with play commencing in January 2024.

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Story summary

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) aims to capitalize on heightened visibility after the Winter Olympics.
Hilary Knight, the U.S. captain, stressed the importance of maintaining fan engagement beyond the Olympics.
Ticket sales and merchandise surged, with a 101% increase in February.
Despite gains, some teams still experience low attendance.
As the PWHL resumes play, it aims to sustain momentum and grow its audience.

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