Detroit awarded PWHL expansion franchise for 2026-27 season, will host 2026 draft

The Professional Women's Hockey League is expanding to Detroit, with a team set to start this fall. 

The Motor City was awarded an expansion team for the 2026-27 season, the league and Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced Wednesday morning. The team will play at Little Caesars Arena. 

"What an exciting day for the city of Detroit," Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield said.  

The announcement was accompanied by a live drumline and video clips of women's hockey fans cheering at special games already played in Detroit. Girls' youth hockey participants also took their turn at the microphone to share their love of the game.

"It's an honor to call Detroit home now," said Amy Scheer, senior vice president of business operations for the PWHL.

"Detroit is one of the great hockey cities, shaped by generations of players, teams, and fans who have helped grow the game at every level. Bringing a PWHL team to Little Caesars Arena is an exciting next step for our city and for the continued momentum of women's hockey," said Chris Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Companies. 

"This moment also reflects our broader vision of using sports as a catalyst for Detroit's continued revitalization — strengthening community engagement, supporting economic growth, and contributing to the city's long-term development. We're proud to support the PWHL's growth, welcome these athletes to our city, and inspire the next generation of women and girls to pursue the game at the highest level." 

Team identity

PWHL Detroit's primary colors are black and silver. The team's name and logo will be announced at a later date. Ally Financial will serve as PWHL Detroit's inaugural partner, with team jerseys to feature an Ally patch on the chest.

Detroit's history with PWHL

In addition to being the PWHL's newest market, Detroit will host the 2026 PWHL Awards Ceremony on June 16 and the 2026 PWHL Draft on June 17. The draft will be at the Fox Theatre and is a ticketed event open to fans. 

The PWHL is currently an eight-team league, comprised of four teams in both Canada and the U.S. The league dropped the puck on its inaugural season in January 2024. 

The PWHL has included Detroit in its past three Takeover Tour series as part of the league's effort to bring professional women's hockey to new and existing fan bases.  

The Takeover Tour was widely seen as a way to test potential markets, and the 2025 game in Detroit set a record for attendance at a professional women's hockey game in the United States. 

Among those competing in PWHL's eight existing teams is Megan Keller, a native of Farmington Hills who skates for the Boston Fleet and was on the 2026 Team USA women's ice hockey roster. 

The USA women's ice hockey team won a gold medal during the 2026 Olympics. 

"The players who will wear these jerseys are the best in the world," said Bridet Sponsky, executive director of brand marketing at Ally Financial.