The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is set to expand to San Jose, California, for the 2026-27 season as part of its four-team expansion class. The new team, PWHL San Jose, will play its home games at SAP Center and train at Sharks Ice at San Jose. The expansion was led by Sharks Sports & Entertainment and the City of San Jose.
San Jose joins Detroit, Hamilton, and Las Vegas as the league’s newest markets. This expansion brings the PWHL to 12 teams across North America, with eight current markets including Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. The league has already broken multiple attendance records since its launch in January 2024 and holds the all-time worldwide attendance record for a women’s hockey game.
Northern California offers a strong hockey culture and growing support for women’s sports. California ranks sixth in the U.S. for girls’ hockey participation, despite being a warmer climate. Off the ice, San Jose has shown strong support for women’s professional sports, with the NWSL’s Bay FC and the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries both setting attendance records. The city’s location also ensures four PWHL teams will be based in the Pacific Time Zone, improving scheduling and travel logistics.
The team’s colors, orange, blue, and white, reflect the San Jose flag and regional identity. Orange nods to the Sharks and historic orange groves, while blue represents the coastline and sky. Merchandise is already available to U.S. fans via the PWHL’s online shop.
PWHL San Jose will integrate into the 2026 PWHL Draft and roster-building process, with more details to be announced soon. Fans can place time-stamped deposits now to secure priority access to season tickets once they are released.
“Between a deeply rooted hockey culture, rapidly booming women’s sports scene, and a community known for growth and innovation, San Jose offers a dynamic stage for the PWHL to expand its reach and build lasting momentum,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President, Business Operations.
“We are honored the PWHL has chosen San José as the site of its latest expansion team, joining the NHL’s San Jose Sharks and the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda,” said Jonathan Becher, Sharks Sports & Entertainment President.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome the PWHL to San Jose and the Bay Area as the league’s fourth expansion team to debut for the 2026-27 season,” said John Poch, Executive Director of the San Jose Sports Authority.
PWHL San Jose aims to start play in the 2026-27 season. Fans can visit PWHLSanJose.com for updates and follow the team across multiple social media platforms.
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