Full Breakdown
PWHL Secures First Season-Long U.S. National Television Deal with Scripps Sports
9/9/2026, 6:16:02 PM
Core Event
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced a national broadcast rights agreement with Scripps Sports for the 2026-27 season. The deal provides a season-long television presence across the United States, featuring a Saturday “Game of the Week” on the ION network, additional national games on the Scripps Sports Network (SSN) streaming channel, and local over-the-air broadcasts for the league’s new markets.
Background & Context
The PWHL launched on January 1, 2024 and has rapidly expanded, adding four new franchises—Detroit, Hamilton (Ontario), Las Vegas, and San Jose—for its fourth season, bringing the total to twelve teams. While the league has held national U.S. broadcast arrangements in Canada since its inception, U.S. coverage has previously been limited to regional outlets and occasional national airings, such as a Takeover Tour game on ION last season.
Data & Statistics
- Teams: 12 (Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, plus the four new teams).
- Reach: ION is available over-the-air, on pay-TV, connected-TV platforms and streaming services, reaching more than 128 million U.S. households.
- Platforms: Two additional national games per week will stream on SSN, a free, ad-supported FAST channel accessible via The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, Prime Video, Fire TV, Google TV Freeplay, Tubi and other major services.
- Local Partners: Scripps-owned stations WMYD-TV (Detroit) and KMCC-TV (Las Vegas) will serve as the official broadcast partners for the league’s expansion teams in those markets.
- Postseason Coverage: ION will be the exclusive U.S. home for the Walter Cup Finals and will also air a Walter Cup playoff series.
Official Statements & Responses
PWHL Executive Vice President of Business Operations Amy Scheer described the agreement as a milestone that enhances the league’s accessibility for American fans. She noted that the partnership aligns with the league’s growth strategy and expands exposure for women’s hockey nationwide. Scripps Sports highlighted its commitment to women’s sports, emphasizing that the collaboration reinforces its broader portfolio of women’s leagues, including the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Verbatim Quotes
- “A season-long national television presence in the U.S. is something we’ve been working toward and represents a significant step in our continued growth as a league,” — PWHL Executive Vice President, said PWHL executive
- “Women’s sports is a cornerstone of our mission to create meaningful connections between communities and the sports and teams they love,” — Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports
Why It Matters
The deal marks the first full-season national television contract for the PWHL in the United States, signaling a significant step toward broader mainstream visibility for women’s professional hockey. By securing both over-the-air and streaming distribution, the league can reach a diverse audience, potentially driving higher attendance, sponsorship interest, and fan engagement across its expanded footprint.
What’s Next
The 2026-27 schedule has not yet been released, but the season is expected to commence after the IIHF Women’s World Championship in November. Fans will continue to have access to live streams via the league’s website and YouTube channel, complementing the national broadcast windows.
