Detroit officially lands Professional Women's Hockey League team

Detroit — A Professional Women's Hockey League team is officially coming to Detroit.

The PWHL on Wednesday announced its expansion to the city, formally declaring a new franchise that'll play its home contests at Little Caesars Arena. The team will begin its participation in the league in the 2026-27 season, which starts this fall.

A team name and logo will be announced at a later date. For now, the franchise's primary colors will be black and silver, with white as a secondary color. Red will also be included as an accent color, "a nod to the city’s celebrated sports history, in particular, the Red Wings' and Hockeytown's hockey stewardship in the United States for more than 100 years," read the PWHL's release.

"The palette is distinct from any other team in the league, with the primary colors intended to evoke Detroit’s innovative and industrial spirit, matched with the resilient identity of Metro Detroiters," the release added.

Ally Financial is the team's inaugural partner. Detroit's jerseys will feature an Ally patch on the chest.

"Detroit sports fans are the best in the world. From selling out arenas to setting attendance records, our fans show out when women’s hockey shows up," Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said.

"Michiganders have already brought so much talent to the PWHL and U.S. Olympic Team, and we’re ready to build on Michigan’s hockey momentum. Having our own PWHL team in Detroit will inspire even more young girls and women who play hockey in arenas and backyards across our state to follow their dreams right here in Michigan."

Also announced Wednesday: Detroit will host the 2026 PWHL Awards Ceremony on June 16, and the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17 will take place at Fox Theatre as a ticketed event open to fans.

The PWHL has been eyeing Detroit for possible expansion for some time, placing four "takeover tour" games at Little Caesars Arena over the last three seasons. Average attendance at the takeover tour outings was just below 13,400. Nearly 16,000 fans were on hand to watch the Montreal Victoire's win over the New York Sirens on March 28.

Markets already in the PWHL include Montreal, New York, Boston, Minnesota, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. The PWHL said "details about further expansion, a forthcoming expansion roster building process, and how Detroit will be integrated into the 2026 PWHL Draft will be announced in the coming weeks."

Detroit's bid for a PWHL squad was led by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, which operates Little Caesars Arena. The Red Wings and Detroit Pistons play their home games at LCA, and the venue, beginning in 2029, will be home to a new WNBA franchise.

The new PWHL team will practice at the BELFOR Training Center, located within Little Caesars Arena.

"The Detroit area and the state of Michigan have one of the strongest youth hockey development systems in the world, especially for girls, which is further exemplified by world-class facilities at Little Caesars Arena and a deep commitment from Ilitch Sports + Entertainment to advancing our sport," said Jayna Hefford, the PWHL's executive vice president of hockey operations.

"We are honored to bring the PWHL to a sports community where women and girls have already put hockey on the map, and advance that incredible culture by offering young athletes a professional league they can strive for."

Current players in the PWHL who grew up in Michigan include Riley Brengman (plays for Boston, from China Township), Mellissa Channell-Watkins (Vancouver, Plymouth), Shiann Darkangelo (Montreal, Royal Oak), Kaley Doyle (New York, Livonia), Emma Gentry (Toronto, Alpena), Taylor Girard (New York, Macomb Township), Elle Hartje (New York, Detroit), Megan Keller (Boston, Farmington), Abby Roque (Montreal, Sault Ste. Marie), Anna Segedi (Vancouver, Commerce Township), Callie Shanahan (New York, Commerce Township), Amanda Thiele (Boston, Milford) and Clara Van Wieren (Toronto, Okemos).

Minnesota (27) is the only state with more players in the PWHL than Michigan.

"We are thrilled that professional women's hockey is coming to our great city," Mayor Mary Sheffield said. "Detroit is home to incredibly passionate hockey fans who already have shown their enthusiasm and support for the PWHL here at Little Caesars Arena. I am deeply appreciative to the PWHL, Chris Ilitch, and Ally for making today possible. 

"I have no doubt that Detroit will prove to be a premiere PWHL market. We can't wait for Detroit to host the PWHL Awards Ceremony and Draft here in June as we prepare for the start of the team’s exciting inaugural season."

rsilva@detroitnews.com

@rich_silva18

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Professional Women's Hockey League officially expands to Detroit