Home / Sports / PWHL Shatters Attendance Records, Surpasses 1 Million Fans
PWHL Shatters Attendance Records, Surpasses 1 Million Fans
28 Apr
Summary
- PWHL welcomed over 1.1 million fans, a historic first.
- Average attendance jumped 28 percent, a 71% increase since its start.
- New Seattle and Vancouver teams led in average attendance and merchandise sales.
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced unprecedented growth during its 2025-26 season, a landmark period that saw over 1.1 million fans attend its games. This marks the first time the league has surpassed the one million fan threshold in a single season.
Average attendance surged by 28 percent compared to the previous season, reaching 9,304 spectators per game. This figure represents a remarkable 71 percent increase from the PWHL's inaugural season in 2024, highlighting rapid development.
The league's expansion into Seattle and Vancouver contributed significantly to this success. Both new franchises, the Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes, recorded the highest average attendance in their home venues, with Seattle averaging 12,875 and Vancouver 11,234 fans per game.
These expansion teams also drove substantial revenue, generating the highest first-year merchandise sales in league history. Overall, in-arena merchandise sales doubled from the previous season, with online sales increasing by over 50 percent.
The "Takeover Tour" brought 16 games to neutral sites, including seven new cities, attracting 200,000 fans. A game in Washington, D.C. set a new U.S. attendance record. Furthermore, the league saw increased viewership on its YouTube channel, with live viewership up 77 percent.
Looking ahead, the PWHL is preparing for its 2026 playoffs and has announced plans for further expansion, intending to add two to four teams for the upcoming season.
