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The Vancouver Griffins were the first professional women's hockey team in Vancouver, playing from 2000 to 2003. Over two decades later, the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has announced Vancouver as its newest expansion franchise. The team will start playing in the 2025-26 season and will be the primary tenant at the Pacific Coliseum. The announcement validates the idea of a professional women's hockey team in Vancouver and brings hope for the future of the sport.

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) has announced a significant expansion to Vancouver, British Columbia, with the team set to debut in the 2025-26 season. The new franchise, which will be known as PWHL Vancouver until the permanent brand identity is announced, will play its home games at the historic Pacific Coliseum [1].

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. Vancouver's strong hockey culture and enthusiastic response to the PWHL Takeover Tour, which included a sold-out crowd of 19,038 at Rogers Arena, made it a natural fit for expansion [1].

The Pacific Coliseum, located on the grounds of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), will undergo comprehensive upgrades to locker rooms and training facilities. The venue will also receive enhanced technology and broadcast capabilities while preserving its charm and renowned hockey sightlines [1]. The PNE, which owns the Coliseum, will serve as the primary team tenant, with all revenues generated at the venue reinvested into community programs and inclusive experiences [1].

The expansion of the PWHL to Vancouver marks a significant milestone for the league, which was launched in January 2024 and has already broken multiple attendance records. The addition of Vancouver to the PWHL's founding six markets—Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, and Toronto—reflects the growing momentum behind the league and the incredible passion of its fanbase [1].

The 2025-26 season will begin this fall, with the full schedule set to be released in late summer. Fans can place a time-stamped deposit to secure priority access to season tickets once ticket packages are released [1]. For the latest news and updates on PWHL Vancouver, fans can subscribe to the newsletter and follow the team on various social media platforms [1].

The Vancouver Griffins, the city's first professional women's hockey team, played from 2000 to 2003. The PWHL's expansion validates the idea of a professional women's hockey team in Vancouver and brings hope for the future of the sport [1].

References:
[1] https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2025/april/23/professional-womens-hockey-league-expands-to-vancouver