Should the PWHL Expand to Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has long been a supportive hub for a sports community. This year, in particular, the City of Brotherly Love will host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and games for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. One aspect that has been overlooked is the potential for the city to be included in the PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League) expansion.

Writing for The Hockey News, Vani Hanamirian laments that there has been no explicit discussion or rumors about a PWHL team or hosting a game in Philadelphia, calling that omission a missed opportunity for the league.

"Philadelphia is a hockey town," Hanamirian wrote. "It all started with the 1967 Expansion Draft, when the Broad Street Bullies came to town, winning two Stanley Cup championships in ‘74 and ‘75, and more. The gritty team reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1980, 1985, 1987, 1997, and 2010.

"The city flooded Broad Street as they dedicated their hearts to the team that brought a championship to the city. Reportedly, 2 million people watched as Bernie Parent and Bobby Clarke paraded down the street with the cup. The following year, the team broke that record, with 2.4 million people attending the two-time champions."

According to Hanamirian, the PWHL averaged 6,520 fans per game across all teams in the United States and Canada. The Philadelphia area has contributed to three current PWHL players: Boston Fleet's Hadley Hartmetz from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania; Minnesota Frost's Ava Rinker from Elverson, Pennsylvania; and the Montreal Victoire's Dara Greig from Camden, New Jersey.

The appetite for Philly sports isn't subsiding soon, Hanamirian concluded, making Philadelphia a prime place to at least support a PWHL Takeover game.