The PWHL is making waves, and the biggest news just hit the ice: Detroit will officially join the league for the 2026-27 season. But that’s just the tip of the puck. According to an internal email obtained by The Athletic, the league is eyeing a major four-team expansion, though executive vice president Amy Scheer says they’re still weighing options for two, three, or four new markets. The process has been fluid, with league execs taking their time to find the perfect fits.

And one name that’s been heating up in league circles? San Jose. At first glance, it might seem like a surprise, especially with passionate fanbases in cities like Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh pushing hard for a team. But the Bay Area is quietly becoming a powerhouse for women’s sports, and the numbers back it up.

Consider this: Bay FC set an NWSL attendance record last season with over 40,000 fans packing Oracle Park. The Golden State Valkyries, fresh off their WNBA debut, averaged over 18,000 fans per game and became the first franchise in the league valued at $1 billion. The Bay Area also topped The Athletic’s list of top women’s sports cities in November, with columnist Marcus Thompson II noting, “The Bay doesn’t just support women’s sports, it centers them. It elevates them. It invests in them by buying tickets and merch.”

With expansion teams already landing in Vancouver and Seattle, San Jose could be the next perfect play—a market that’s proven it’s ready to rally behind women’s hockey. Stay tuned, because the next few weeks could bring some game-changing announcements for the league and its fans.