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PWHL Makes U.S. National TV Debut on ION With Detroit Showcase

The one-off ION airing backed by Ally and Scripps tests Olympic-fueled demand.

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The New York Sirens faced the visiting Montreal Victoire at the Prudentical Center Arena in Newark, N.J., on Feb. 26, 2026.
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Overview

  • The league’s first U.S. national telecast aired Saturday on ION, featuring New York vs. Montréal at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena with a 1 p.m. ET puck drop sponsored by Ally.
  • Detroit set a local PWHL attendance record of 15,938 for the Takeover Tour game, and Montréal beat New York 3–1 with a three-goal third period.
  • Scripps says ION will carry the Walter Cup finals in May, and the network is discussing a larger U.S. package with the league for next season.
  • Interest jumped after the 2026 Olympics, when the U.S.–Canada gold-medal game drew about 5.3 million viewers and post-Games PWHL dates sold out, bolstering the case for broader TV reach.
  • The PWHL still lacks a full-time U.S. TV deal, with most games on YouTube, and some fans are pressing broadcasters to feature more women’s voices and respectful, in-depth coverage.