The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) announced two new teams, solidifying its presence in Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario while searching for a twelfth market. The Las Vegas franchise debuted at a press conference held at the T‑Mobile Arena, the home of the NHL’s Golden Knights, and will wear a green‑and‑gold color scheme. Hamilton’s team, slated to play in the Hamilton‑Burlington area, will don gold, maroon and cream and will host games at the local arena.

The expansion underscores the league’s strategy to broaden its geographic footprint beyond the original northeast and north hubs of New York, Boston, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Minnesota. Both new markets satisfy the PWHL’s criteria for strong female‑hockey development; Las Vegas has seen a 600% increase in girls’ hockey participation, while the Hamilton area houses 15% of current PWHL players, including star Sarah Nurse.

The league’s growth plan could split the 12 teams into either two six‑team conferences or three four‑team divisions, depending on scheduling and arena availability. While Las Vegas and Hamilton are set, the PWHL has yet to name its final expansion city, which will bring the total to a dozen and set the stage for a doubling of the league’s size in the near future.