PWHL Takeover Tour Wraps Up With Major Growth And Fan Engagement

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has officially concluded its first-ever Takeover Tour, a groundbreaking initiative that brought regular-season matchups to nine cities across North America from January through March. The tour proved to be a resounding success, attracting 123,601 fans and introducing the league to a wider, more diverse audience than ever before.

More than just a traveling showcase, the Takeover Tour represented a bold move to reach new communities, grow the game, and build meaningful connections with fans—many of whom were experiencing PWHL hockey for the first time. In fact, an estimated 80% of attendees had never attended a PWHL game before, and up to 78% were visiting the host venue for the first time.

PWHL Takeover Tour™ Dates, Locations, Results & Attendance

• January 5 in Seattle, Climate Pledge Arena: Boston Fleet 3, Montréal Victoire 2 (SO) (12,608)
• January 8 in Vancouver, Rogers Arena: Montréal Victoire 4, Toronto Sceptres 2 (19,038)
• January 12 in Denver, Ball Arena: Minnesota Frost 4, Montréal Victoire 2 (14,018)
• January 19 in Quebec City, Videotron Centre: Montréal Victoire 2, Ottawa Charge 1 (18,259)
• February 16 in Edmonton, Rogers Place: Toronto Sceptres 3, Ottawa Charge 2 (OT) (17,518)
• February 23 in Buffalo, KeyBank Center: Boston Fleet 3, New York Sirens 2 (SO) (8,512)
• March 7 in Raleigh, Lenovo Center: Minnesota Frost 5, Ottawa Charge 0 (10,782)
• March 16 in Detroit, Little Caesars Arena: New York Sirens 4, Minnesota Frost 1 (14,288)
• March 29 in St. Louis, Enterprise Center: Ottawa Charge 2, Boston Fleet 1 (8,578)

Arena after arena saw enthusiastic turnouts, with five of the nine games now ranked among the top 10 most attended matchups in league history. A sellout crowd of 19,038 in Vancouver set the bar high, while Detroit (14,288) and Denver (14,018) broke U.S. attendance records for professional women’s hockey in back-to-back weeks. In Quebec City, 18,259 fans showed up for a clash between Montréal and Ottawa, underscoring the growing appetite for elite women’s hockey across Canada as well.

“The impact of the Takeover Tour won’t be fully felt for years,” added Jayna Hefford, Executive VP of Hockey Operations. “We believe many young fans in those crowds will one day be future players in this league.”

PWHL Takeover Tour: On And Off The Ice

The action delivered just as much excitement as the crowds. Across the nine Takeover games. 27 points were earned in the standings, 6 wins came in regulation, with 2 shootouts and 1 overtime decision adding to the drama. 41 goals were scored by 30 different players, and five of the nine games were decided by just one goal, reflecting the league’s competitive balance.

The Takeover Tour also served as a platform for deeper fan interaction and community involvement. 945 young girls took part in hockey clinics and player meet-and-greets. Over 1,400 fans received autographs through post-game events and open practices. At merchandise stands, fans snapped up more than 16,000 pieces of PWHL apparel and gear. League-wide social media accounts saw a 30% surge in followers, thanks to viral moments, behind-the-scenes content, and increased visibility.

“This was about more than hockey—it was about creating moments and memories,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL Executive VP of Business Operations. “We saw first-time fans become lifelong supporters, and that’s the kind of connection that will carry this league forward.”

About The PWHL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is the premier destination for women’s professional hockey in North America. Featuring six franchises—three in the United States and three in Canada—the league operates a competitive regular season followed by a four-team playoff, where the winner earns the prestigious Walter Cup.

Backed by the Mark Walter Group, the league was established in partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA) and Billie Jean King Enterprises following the acquisition of the former Premier Hockey Federation in 2023. The PWHL aims to raise the standard of women’s professional sports through fair pay, player empowerment, and sustainable growth.

Its inaugural season began in January 2024, just months after the first player draft in September 2023. Unique to the league are forward-thinking rules—like a 3-2-1-0 points system, automatic penalty termination after shorthanded goals, and limited body checking—that enhance skill and pace of play.

The league’s reach continues to grow through broadcast deals with CBC, TSN, Radio-Canada, and RDS in Canada, as well as regional sports networks in the U.S. Games are also available globally via YouTube (outside Canada), and through Nova Sport in Czechia and Slovakia.

The PWHL is building a hockey legacy—one that empowers women, inspires fans, and redefines what’s possible in professional sports.