The PWHL’s Growth This Season Speaks Volumes
The PWHL’s growth is a major sign. It shows that both women’s hockey and women’s sports as a whole are becoming more popular. This season has arguably been the most important in making the league more noticeable.
With eight teams now, including two expansion teams, the PWHL knew it needed to elevate itself to attract more attention. In year three, the league not only elevated but became one of the biggest talking points in sports. While the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics and the hit show “Heated Rivalry” played a part in the increase, that’s not everything.
The league itself has found numerous tactics to attract new fans to the sport. As reported by both the PWHL and the Athletic, there was a major boost in popularity in all facets. Brand Partnerships The first was with brand partnerships, which increased by 35% season over season.
They now have 81 corporate partners with whom they work to grow the game in several ways. This includes board messages, giveaways, products, and video ads. This is all intended to drive people to the companies’ and league’s brands on all platforms.
Major Boost in Merchandise Sales With the PWHL’s growth interest, the fans’ demand for all types of merchandise, and the sale of it has been impressive. When it comes to in-arena purchases, the league saw a double in purchases in 25-26 from the previous year. As for online purchases, there was a 50% increase from 24-25.