PWHL sets U.S. attendance record in Detroit as part of Takeover Tour
The league previously set the U.S. attendance record with 13,736 fans at a game in Detroit last season – which was later broken in Denver in January 2025 – and the 14,288 fans at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday night took it up a notch.
The league also announced that it officially eclipsed 1 million fans in attendance at PWHL games during the first period of the game, which is part of the league’s nine-game “Takeover Tour” across North America.
The PWHL’s total attendance currently stands at 1,001,648 fans just over 14 months since the league’s launch in January 2024, according to a press release.
THAT ONE MILLION MOMENT! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/VNrNbxKbPg
— PWHL (@thepwhlofficial) March 17, 2025
“This is truly a ‘pinch me’ moment,” said Amy Scheer, the PWHL’s executive vice president of business operations. “The overwhelming support from fans, the energy in the arenas, and the league’s rapid growth all highlight how much people are connecting with the PWHL.
“Today is a moment we’ll always remember, and we’re grateful to the fans of Detroit for celebrating it with us in such a big way.”
New York defeated Minnesota 4-1 in regulation to keep the team – currently in last place – in the mix heading into the final stretch of the PWHL’s second season. Local Michigan forwards Elle Hartje, Abby Roque and Taylor Girard all started the game for the Sirens. Defender Mellissa Channell-Watkins, who played for the Little Caesars youth team, played for the Frost.
The new attendance record comes as the league is in the final stages of evaluating expansion proposals for up to two new teams that could launch as early as next season. And Detroit has long looked like a legitimate candidate.
Jayna Hefford, the league’s executive vice president of hockey operations, called the city affectionately known as “Hockeytown” an obvious market the league would “love to be a part of” at the first game hosted in Detroit last season.
“Although not in our Original Six, it’s somewhere that we still, I think, have our eyes on,” she said. “And tonight has just been another proof point that this is a market that loves hockey and I think loves women’s hockey.”
League executives have been tight-lipped about where new teams could land, but have said they will be examining everything from market size, the fan base, youth hockey participation, facilities and the economic opportunities in each market.
Given the attendance at the last two games, there is an appetite for women’s hockey in Detroit and a strong grassroots system, with programs like Little Caesars and HoneyBaked Hockey Club. According to USA Hockey, Michigan ranked fourth in female hockey registration last season only behind Minnesota, Massachusetts and New York – three states that already have PWHL franchises.
The city is situated well geographically to the league’s current footprint, with six teams in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, New York and Minnesota. But, the top priority, according Scheer, is going to be the availability of game and practice venues.
“Where will we play the games?” she said at a press conference last month. “Is the (arena) up to the level of professionalism that we would like for our athletes?”
The NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and the NBA’s Detroit Pistons are full-time occupants at LCA, which also hosts plenty of concerts and other events. So it’s fair to wonder if LCA would really be able to accommodate a third team full-time. At the very least, a women’s professional team in Detroit might play home games during the week or in the afternoons.
USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich., less than 30 miles outside of Detroit, is a potential alternative, but with a 3,500 capacity it would be on the small side. There is a practice facility situated within LCA, but a women’s team would need to share that ice time with the Red Wings.
Scheer said an announcement on whether expansion will happen next season or not should be in the coming weeks.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
NHL, Women's Hockey
2025 The Athletic Media Company
-
Detroit draws 14,288 fans to watch PWHL game, setting U.S. record for pro women’s hockey game
The Professional Women’s Hockey League game broke the mark as part of its Takeover Tour of potential expansion venues at Little Caesars Arena, a year after 13,736 fans watched women on the same ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Professional Women’s Hockey League game in Detroit chance to show 'hockey is viable career'
Taylor Girard, Elle Hartje lead New York Sirens against Minnesota Frost on Sunday at Little Caesars Arena in Professional Women’s Hockey League tour.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Sirens top Frost 4-1 in front of record crowd for women's pro hockey game in US
Paetyn Levis scored a tiebreaking goal late in the first period and Corinne Schroeder stopped 33 shots, lifting the New York Sirens to a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Frost on Sunday night. The game ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Detroit shoots to boost its bid for PWHL expansion team, drawing record crowd for pro women's hockey
“PWHL DETROIT NEEDS A TEAM,” was printed on one side of the signs. The six-team PWHL may expand next season — in its third year — and is touring cities potentially on the list to get in the game. ...Yahoo Sports - 23h -
New York Keeps Slim Playoff Hopes Alive, Detroit Shows Up
The New York Sirens kept their ever fading playoff hopes alive Sunday in Detroit with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Frost.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
HBCU players struggle to make the professional leagues. Will an All-Star Game help?
The last time a player from a historically black college made the NBA was in 2010. Work is underway to open up the pathway to the pros. In the coming weeks, tens of thousands of people will attend ...The Guardian - 1d -
Arizona State hockey eliminates Minnesota Duluth in Game 2 of NCHC quarterfinals
The Arizona State Sun Devils hockey program hosted Minnesota Duluth in Game 2 of the NCHC quarterfinals.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
The National Women’s Soccer League had a record-breaking year. Can it be topped in 2025?
The National Women’s Soccer League returns Friday after it earned record ratings last year, culminating in the most-watched championship game in the league’s 12-year history.NBC News - 5d -
Ohio State women's hockey Frozen Four bound for 5th straight season
Coach Nadine Muzerall's Ohio State Buckeyes beat St. Lawrence 6-1 to advance to NCAA women's hockey Frozen Four. Joy Dunne sets new program mark.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 22h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Messi out for Argentina after MRI reveals injury
Lionel Messi will not join Argentina for World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay, failing to make the final roster after featuring in the pre-list.ESPN - 10m -
Let the fun begin: Make your picks for the women's tournament
Be involved in March Madness by creating or joining a group now!ESPN - 22m -
Giant Killers: Predicting 10 women's March Madness early-round upsets
Looking for upsets in the women's March Madness bracket? Harvard, Vanderbilt and South Dakota State are looking to hang around.ESPN - 22m -
Ohtani 'nervous' in Tokyo but gets 2 hits, runs
Shohei Ohtani said it had been "a while since I felt this nervous playing a game," but managed two hits and two runs Tuesday as the Dodgers won their Opening Day game in Tokyo.ESPN - 23m -
Steelers' Heyward fed up waiting on Rodgers
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said on his podcast Tuesday that he has no plans to recruit Aaron Rodgers and that he just wants Pittsburgh's quarterback situation settled.ESPN - 23m