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PWHL Awards Detroit a 2026–27 Franchise

Strong crowds in Detroit are steering the league’s next wave of growth.

Overview

  • The league announced Wednesday that Detroit becomes its ninth team for the 2026–27 season, the first of up to four additions planned.
  • Little Caesars Arena will host home games through a venue partnership led by Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.
  • Detroit’s four Takeover Tour dates drew 53,000-plus fans, including 15,938 on March 28, which helped drive the expansion decision.
  • Detroit will host the PWHL Awards on June 16 and the entry draft on June 17 at the Fox Theatre.
  • The club will be owned by the league under Mark Walter’s single-entity model, with the Ilitch family operating the arena but not the team.