The Professional Women's Hockey League is making a bold move to Sin City. According to a source familiar with the situation, the PWHL is set to announce Las Vegas as the home of its 10th franchise for the 2026-27 season. The official announcement is expected Wednesday afternoon, following an invitation from Foley Entertainment Group—the same group behind the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.
This expansion marks the second of what could be four new teams joining the league. Just last week, the PWHL confirmed Detroit as its ninth franchise, signaling a rapid growth phase for women's professional hockey. The invitation, sent to local youth hockey teams and obtained by The Athletic, reads: "You're invited to join us for a historic Las Vegas sports announcement. This event will bring together our sports and hockey community, recognizing our city's passion and spirit, while celebrating the future of the sport."
Where will the team play? All eyes are on T-Mobile Arena, the Golden Knights' home ice, which boasts a capacity of 17,500 and one of the most electric atmospheres in the NHL. While Lee's Family Forum in Henderson—home to the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights—is an option, its 5,567 seats likely fall short for a league that averaged 9,304 fans per game during its record-breaking 2025-26 regular season.
Las Vegas has transformed into a powerhouse for professional sports. The Golden Knights broke ground in 2017, and since then, the city has welcomed the WNBA's Aces (relocated from San Antonio in 2018), the NFL's Raiders (moved from Oakland in 2020), and MLB's Athletics (also from Oakland, with a ballpark set for 2028). The NBA also approved exploration of an expansion team for the 2028-29 season.
The Aces have become a dynasty, winning three WNBA titles in four years. In March, they made history as the first WNBA team to sell out season ticket allotments for three straight seasons. While the Aces typically play at Michelob ULTRA Arena, they've drawn massive crowds for select games at T-Mobile—including a July 2024 matchup against Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever. With the PWHL's momentum and Las Vegas's proven sports appetite, this expansion is a game-changer for women's hockey.