The PWHL enters the 2025–26 season riding undeniable momentum. Last year’s total attendance of 644,839 fans, along with a Takeover Tour that set records across Canada, created lofty expectations.

Now, with the expanded 16-game Takeover Tour rolling out, the early response seems to indicate that Canadian cities are driving demand at full throttle.

With renovated arenas joining the schedule, expansion markets watching closely, and two new teams arriving in 2025–26, the PWHL’s third year is shaping up to be its most ambitious yet.

Canadian markets set the pace again

Ticket sales in Canada came out almost explosive once again. Halifax, hosting two Takeover Tour games, is already one of the most talked-about venues this year. The Scotiabank Centre (11,093 capacity) sold out Montreal vs. Toronto in minutes on opening day.

By week’s end, more than 10,000 seats were gone for Halifax’s second matchup, setting it up for another pre-holiday sellout.

The surge isn’t surprising, though. Over the past two seasons, Toronto (9,059), Montreal (9,013), and Ottawa (6,888) have led the league in average attendance, driving the sport’s strongest box-office numbers.

Last year’s Canadian Takeover Tour stops were some of the largest women’s hockey crowds ever recorded, with 19,038 in Vancouver, 18,259 in Quebec and 17,518 in Edmonton.

This year, Winnipeg looks like the next city poised to sell out. Quebec City is close behind. Calgary and Hamilton have already pushed into their upper decks after clearing out nearly all lower-bowl inventory.

Even Edmonton, despite hosting four major events between December and April (two Rivalry Series games + two Takeover Tour games) is progressing well. The lower bowl for Vancouver vs. Minnesota is nearly full, and the second visit featuring Vancouver vs. Boston has already moved about two-thirds of its lower bowl stock.

U.S. ticket sales are still searching for momentum

Five American markets, Washington, Dallas, Detroit, Chicago and Denver are included on this year’s expanded tour. Early results show promise in some pockets but miss the firepower seen in Canadian cities.

Denver currently leads U.S. sales among cities hosting two games. Detroit and Washington follow with reportedly steady but unspectacular traction.

Meanwhile, Dallas and Chicago have struggled the most, drawing slow, tentative sales despite solid hockey histories in their regions. Chicago hosts the first American tour date on December 21 at Allstate Arena, while Dallas follows on December 28, which are two key early tests for whether U.S. demand will build late or stall entirely.

This pattern mirrors last season, when the U.S. produced the tour’s strongest single crowd of 14,288 in Detroit but generally lagged behind Canadian turnout.

A bigger tour means a bigger opportunity

Last year’s Takeover Tour drew 123,601 fans across nine games, averaging 13,955 per stop, which is far above league norms. To match that total this season, the PWHL would only need an average of 7,725 per game across 16 dates. Early Canadian numbers suggest the league may exceed that benchmark comfortably even if U.S. cities remain unpredictable.

The league averaged 6,435 fans per home game last season (excluding Takeover stops but including NHL-arena showcases). With more NHL venues, larger mid-market stops, and two new teams debuting, the league believes it can continue pushing averages upward.

Hamilton’s big stage and bigger aspirations

One of the most intriguing new venues on the tour is Hamilton’s renovated TD Coliseum, hosting Toronto vs. Seattle on January 3, 2026. The arena seats 17,383 for hockey and has been central to decades of Canadian hockey lore in Canada Cups, World Juniors, Memorial Cups and multiple NHL expansion bids all passed through its doors.

The building’s facelift left the Toronto Rock as its lone permanent tenant, sparking speculation about whether a PWHL franchise could land there next.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath sees the Takeover stop as something more than a one-off showcase:

“This moment reflects more than a great event; it shows what the revitalized TD Coliseum means for our community… It brings new energy to our downtown, supports local businesses, and inspires young girls who are dreaming big about what’s possible.”

Horwath mentioned Hamilton’s long connection to women’s hockey, including the iconic Hamilton Golden Hawks, national champions in the 1980s and the team that became the first unofficial Team Canada at the 1987 Women’s World Tournament.

With the PWHL openly stating that venue quality is a key factor in expansion decisions Hamilton’s modernized Coliseum could position the city alongside other potential markets if the league grows beyond its current blueprint.