San Jose awarded Professional Women’s Hockey League expansion team

May 19, 2026

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced Tuesday that San Jose has been awarded a team as the growing league expands to 12 teams.

PWHL officials said the new team will begin play later this year, with home games at the SAP Center, which is also home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. San Jose is among four expansion teams for the upcoming 2026-27 season, joining teams in Detroit, Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario.

In a statement, the league noted several reasons in expanding to the Bay Area, including a “unique combination of established professional and youth hockey culture.” The league also noted strong support for women’s sports in the region, with the Golden State Valkyries basketball team and the Bay FC soccer team playing to record crowds. CBS NEWS