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Sports
Detroit to get a PWHL expansion team in 2026
TL;DR
Detroit will welcome a PWHL expansion team for the 2026-27 season, with games hosted at Little Caesars Arena. The decision follows strong fan support for women's hockey in the area.
Key points
- Detroit will have a PWHL expansion team in 2026-27
- Home games will be played at Little Caesars Arena
- The decision was based on strong fan support
- PWHL averaged over 13,000 fans per game during Takeover Tour
- Ilitch Sports + Entertainment is a key partner
Mentioned in this story
Professional Women's Hockey LeagueDetroitLittle Caesars ArenaIlitch Sports + Entertainment
Professional women's hockey is coming to Detroit.
The Motor City will receive a Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) expansion team for 2026-27, the league announced on Wednesday, May 6, with home games to be played at Little Caesars Arena.
"Detroit fits the bill in every imaginable way," said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice president of business operations. "When you look at the Takeover Tour over the course of our three seasons, we've averaged well over 13,000 fans a game, over 25,000 fans just this year alone over two games. So we love the fanbase here. Our fans have told us they want a team here, and you have to listen to your fans in sports, and we did.
"Our partnership with Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, they are just wonderful partners to work with on a daily basis. From Day 1, they have very much appreciated what the PWHL is and what we bring to the table and how we could work together to grow the sport of hockey. Little Caesars Arena is just a beautiful venue that we fit into perfectly."
MOTOR CITY VISIT: PWHL Takeover Tour in Detroit as women's hockey rides Olympic high
The PWHL is expanding to the Detroit market
What are Detroit PWHL colors?
Detroit will host the 2026 PWHL awards ceremony on June 16, and the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17, with the draft taking place at Fox Theatre as a ticketed event open to fans.
The Detroit team’s primary colors — black and silver — will be complemented by white as a secondary color and red as an accent. The team's jerseys in its first year will likely feature a simple "DETROIT" running diagonally down the crest, a nod to the league's original uniforms and repeated with expansion teams in and .
Q&A
When will the new PWHL team in Detroit start playing?
The new PWHL team in Detroit will start playing in the 2026-27 season.
Where will the PWHL games be held in Detroit?
PWHL games in Detroit will be held at Little Caesars Arena.
What factors led to the decision to expand the PWHL to Detroit?
The decision was influenced by strong fan support, with over 13,000 fans attending games on average during the Takeover Tour.
Who is involved in the partnership for the new PWHL team in Detroit?
The partnership for the new PWHL team involves Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, which has been supportive from the beginning.
