PWHL Expansion Team Bid Heats Up as Detroit Draws Record Crowd

Detroit drew a record 14,288 fans to Little Caesars Arena for a Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) game, boosting its bid for an expansion team. The city competed with Denver, Seattle, Vancouver, and Quebec for a potential team announcement by early April. Young women held signs with messages for the PWHL, expressing their support for women's professional hockey.

Detroit's enthusiasm for women's professional hockey reached new heights on March 16, 2025, as the city welcomed an unprecedented event at Little Caesars Arena. The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) game between the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens drew a remarkable crowd of 14,288 fans, surpassing the previous US record of 14,018 set in Denver [1].

This record-breaking attendance is a significant achievement for Detroit, which is vying for an expansion team alongside Denver, Seattle, Vancouver, and Quebec [2]. The PWHL's "Takeover Tour" of potential expansion venues has made a lasting impression on local fans, who have shown their support for women's professional hockey with fervor.

The excitement surrounding the game was palpable during the first period, as the PWHL announced that more than 1 million fans have attended games since the league's inception [1]. Players from both teams took a moment to acknowledge the milestone, handing out commemorative pucks to fans in the stands.

The average attendance for PWHL games has steadily increased since the regular season last year, with over 7,000 fans attending per game [1]. These impressive numbers demonstrate the growing demand for women's professional hockey and bode well for Detroit's expansion bid.

In conclusion, Detroit's record-breaking attendance of 14,288 fans at the PWHL game between the Minnesota Frost and New York Sirens is a testament to the city's passion for women's professional hockey. This event not only sets a new standard for attendance in US women's hockey but also bolsters Detroit's expansion bid.

References:
[1] Associated Press. Sirens top Frost 4-1 in front of record crowd for women’s pro hockey game in US. apnews.com. 2023. https://apnews.com/article/pwhl-attendance-record-a8727c449404c8a028a095328dd67c7a
[2] Hoodline. PWHL Set to Electrify Detroit With Record-Breaking Rematch at Little Caesars Arena. hoodline.com. 2024. https://hoodline.com/2024/11/pwhl-set-to-electrify-detroit-with-record-breaking-rematch-at-little-caesars-arena/