PWHL Women (United States) 2026/27

The Professional Women's Hockey League operates as the premier professional competition for women's ice hockey in North America. Founded in August 2023, the league emerged from a unified effort led by the Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises, building upon the advocacy of the Professional Women's Hockey Players Association. The inaugural season commenced in January 2024, marking a significant shift in the professional landscape following the dissolution of previous entities.

The competition structure centres on a closed franchise model with twelve teams across the United States and Canada. Each squad faces thirty games in the regular season, divided into divisions where teams play opponents six times. Scoring follows a distinct 3-2-1-0 system, rewarding regulation wins with three points while awarding one point for overtime losses. This format ensures competitive balance throughout the campaign.

Playoff contention determines the path to the Walter Cup. The top four teams advance to a two-round series, with the highest-seeded side choosing its semifinal opponent from the lower brackets. Games in the postseason utilise sudden-death five-on-five overtime, differing from the shootout method employed during the regular season. This rule change heightens the stakes of every match leading into the finals.

Financial stability forms a core pillar of the league's identity. A collective bargaining agreement guarantees minimum salaries starting at $35,000, with an average team payroll of $55,000. Players receive comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance alongside a monthly housing stipend and paid parental leave. These provisions represent a structural departure from earlier iterations of the sport, aiming to provide long-term security for athletes.

Monumental attendance figures have characterised the league's early years. The opening season drew 392,259 fans in total, highlighted by a single match attracting 21,105 spectators. This event stands as the largest crowd ever assembled for a women's hockey game. Minnesota claimed the first title, defeating Boston in the finals, while Montreal secured the championship in the subsequent 2025–26 season. The league continues to expand its footprint, having grown from six original franchises to twelve by the current campaign.