After months of speculation, the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has announced that Detroit will be the league’s ninth franchise. The announcement came during a press conference attended by Mayor Mary Sheffield, Chris Ilitch, and representatives from both the league and team partners. It was also revealed that Detroit will host the league’s 2026 awards ceremony on June 16 and the 2026 draft on June 17 at the Fox Theatre.
Details on PWHL Detroit
Although the team’s permanent name and logo haven’t been revealed yet, PWHL Detroit’s primary colors will be black and silver. White is a secondary color, and red is an accent color. The team will play their home games at Little Caesars Arena. The team will practice at the BELFOR Training Center, located within LCA’s complex.
Fans can begin securing season tickets, with deposits for individual seats starting at $50. The press conference also announced Ally Financial as the team’s inaugural partner. The banking company’s logo will be featured on the front of the team’s jerseys.
“We are thrilled that professional women’s hockey is coming to our great city. Detroit is home to incredibly passionate hockey fans who already have shown their enthusiasm and support for the PWHL here at Little Caesars Arena,” said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield. “I am deeply appreciative to the PWHL, Chris Ilitch, and Ally for making today possible. I have no doubt that Detroit will prove to be a premiere PWHL market. ”
Detroit is no stranger to the PWHL. It hosted the league’s first neutral-site game between the Boston Fleet and the Ottawa Charge at Little Caesars Arena in 2024. Detroit has hosted four games across three seasons and set attendance records across multiple matchups.
“Detroit has been part of PWHL history since the beginning; from the support shown at our first-ever neutral site game at Little Caesars Arena, the city and fans have helped lead the way for the future of pro women’s hockey,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive Vice President, Business Operations. “We are so proud to permanently join Hockeytown with the introduction of PWHL Detroit.”
What to Know About the PWHL
The PWHL’s inaugural season took place in 2024 with six teams from both Canada and the U.S. The inaugural six franchises consisted of the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, New York Sirens, Toronto Sceptres, Montreal Victoire, and the Ottawa Charge. The league’s first expansion came in 2025-26, with the addition of the Seattle Torrent and Vancouver Goldeneyes.
In the 2025-26 season, each team played 30 regular season games, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The winners of the two semifinal series compete for the Walter Cup. Made of sterling silver and created by Tiffany & Co., the Walter Cup is named after PWHL co-founders Mark and Kimbra Walter. The Minnesota Frost is the only team to have won the Walter Cup in the league’s first two seasons.
Currently there are 13 PWHL players from Michigan, including Megan Keller, who scored the golden goal for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Team this year. Keller is the captain for the Boston Fleet.
Metro Detroit boasts some of the nation’s most dominant women’s hockey programs, including Belle Tire, Little Caesars, and Honeybaked. Many of the Michigan natives in the PWHL played for these youth clubs.
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