PWHL Vancouver’s Female Athletes Hit the Ice This Fall

Hockey is about to make a splash in Vancouver, and this time, the spotlight is on female athletes. The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is officially coming to town this fall, bringing Olympic talent and homegrown heroes. With the city buzzing in anticipation, the new Vancouver PWHL team is ready to skate into the record books.

What is the PWHL?

Launched in 2023, the PWHL is a unified, professional league for the best women’s hockey players in the world. The inaugural season featured six teams, and in 2025, Vancouver will step onto the ice alongside Seattle as part of the league’s first expansion.

PWHL Vancouver Team Takes Shape

A PWHL team is a natural step for a hockey-crazy city like Vancouver that’s already passionate about sporting events like Canucks, the Giants, and international tournaments like the 2010 Winter Olympics. Now, PWHL Vancouver gives fans a chance to cheer for a new roster of world-class female athletes. For their first season, the team will compete under the name PWHL Vancouver and rep Pacific blue and cream uniforms.

Meet the Stars of PWHL Vancouver

Sarah Nurse: A Canadian Olympic gold medalist and a scoring powerhouse, Nurse is known for highlight reel goals and her versatile game with strengths on both offense and defense.

Claire Thomas: The first ever player ever signed to PWHL Vancouver’s roster, Thomas is already a Walter Cup champion with the Minnesota Frost and was a finalist for 2025 PWHL Defender of the Year.

Jenn Gardiner and Hannah Miller: Homegrown stars from Surrey and North Vancouver, respectively, these forwards will get the thrill of playing in front of family and friends just a short drive from where they first laced up their skates.

2025 Home Game Highlights

PWHL Vancouver fans are in for an action-packed inaugural season with 15 home games on the calendar between late November and late April. The home opener on November 21 against fellow expansion team PWHL Seattle is nearly sold out, a clear sign that Vancouver is excited about this new era of women’s hockey.

Fans will get to see PWHL Vancouver challenge the Montreal Victoire, the reigning regular season champions, on December 20 and April 21. On December 27, March 21, and April 25, the defending Walter Cup champions, the Minnesota Frost, roll into town. The rest of the season includes two home games against each of the New York Sirens, PWHL Seattle, Ottawa Charge, Toronto Scepres, and Boston Fleet.

The regular season includes a pause in February as the PWHL’s female athletes represent their countries at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

How to Catch the Games

Tickets: Both single-game tickets and season ticket memberships are on sale now. With Vancouver’s insatiable appetite for hockey, tickets are already selling fast.

The Venue: Pacific Coliseum in East Vancouver will be home ice. This historic venue is where the Canucks made their debut, and the Vancouver Giants of the WHL won the Memorial Cup. The Coliseum has had a facelift for the occasion - upgraded locker rooms, state-of-the-art training facilities, and new broadcast technology mean it's ready to shine under the PWHL spotlight.

Getting There: Hop a Translink bus to the games from Burrard Station or 29th Street Station. Or zip over by car in just 15 minutes from downtown. If you’re driving, there is paid parking off North Renfrew Street.

Security: The Pacific Coliseum has a pat-down and bag search policy, so travel light and keep it simple.

Dinner Before the Game: Make a night of it with dinner in East Van before puck drop. Grab a burger and milkshake at The Red Wagon Cafe, a local favourite with retro diner vibes. Craving Asian? Head to Bai Bua for Thai curries or Le Petit Saigon for steaming bowls of Vietnamese pho. Beer lovers can sip craft brews and chow down on burgers at Parallel 49 Brewing Company.

Where to Watch Away Games: When the team hits the road, fans don’t have to miss out. Catch away games on TSN, CBC, or Amazon Prime. Or join the crowd at local sports bars like Shark Club or Score on Davie.