Vancouver's Women's Pro Hockey Past and Future

The Vancouver Griffins, a women's professional hockey team, played in the National Women's Hockey League from 2000 to 2003. Diane Nelson, the team's owner, is thrilled that Vancouver will be home to the Professional Women's Hockey League's (PWHL) first expansion franchise. The new team, PWHL Vancouver, will start playing in the 2025-26 season and will be the primary tenant at the Pacific Coliseum. Nelson's mother, who initially warned her of the risks, is also excited by the news.

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has announced a significant expansion to Vancouver, British Columbia, with the new team set to debut in the 2025-26 season. This expansion marks a historic moment for the league and for the growth of women's hockey, as the PWHL will be making its first foray into the West Coast [1].

The historic Pacific Coliseum, located on the property of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), will serve as the home venue for the PWHL Vancouver team. The practice facility is just steps away at the PNE Agrodome, and both venues will undergo comprehensive upgrades to locker rooms and training facilities, along with enhanced technology and broadcast capabilities. The team's primary colour is Pacific Blue, and the secondary colour is Cream [1].

The addition of Vancouver to the PWHL's founding six markets—Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, and Toronto—is a significant milestone for the league. Vancouver's bid was led by the PNE, with the city's strong hockey culture and enthusiastic response to the PWHL Takeover Tour reinforcing its suitability for expansion. The PNE is committed to driving professional women's sport in Vancouver and at the Pacific Coliseum [1].

The Vancouver team will join the league's single-entity ownership structure under The Walter Group. The decision to expand to Vancouver follows an extensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process and reflects the league's long-term vision for strategic growth. Details about a forthcoming Expansion Draft and how Vancouver will be integrated into the 2025 PWHL Draft on June 24 will be announced in the coming weeks [1].

The PWHL's expansion to Vancouver is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the city. The league's growth strategy includes hosting camps, clinics, and other events to grow the game and foster meaningful connections between the team and local fans. The 2025-26 season will begin this fall, with the full schedule set to be released in late summer. Fans can secure priority access to season tickets for Vancouver's historic inaugural season by placing a time-stamped deposit [1].

The PWHL's expansion to Vancouver is a testament to the league's commitment to growth and its ability to capitalize on opportunities in new markets. The addition of a seventh team to the league is expected to further enhance the PWHL's competitive landscape and attract more fans to the sport of women's hockey. The league's success in its first two seasons, along with its recognition by the Sports Business Journal and the Harris Poll, underscores its potential for continued growth and success [2].

References:
[1] https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/april/23/professional-womens-hockey-league-expands-to-vancouver
[2] https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/pwhl/pwhl-expansion-vancouver-1.7516319