PWHL Expansion to San Jose
Key Questions
When will the new PWHL team in San Jose begin play?
The PWHL expansion franchise in San Jose is set to start in the 2026-27 season as the league's 12th team. The team will play home games at the SAP Center.
What are the official colors of the San Jose PWHL team?
The team's colors are orange, blue, and white, chosen to honor the San Jose city flag. This branding reflects local identity and community ties.
How can fans secure tickets or deposits for the San Jose PWHL team?
Over 1,000 deposits are currently open for interested fans. Full schedule and ticket details will be announced at a later date.
What partnerships support the new San Jose PWHL franchise?
The team has established a partnership with the NHL's San Jose Sharks. It also draws on connections with figures like Chastain and Yamaguchi for community engagement.
How does the PWHL expansion fit into the broader Bay Area women's sports landscape?
San Jose's addition builds directly on recent growth from the Valkyries and Bay FC. It brings the league to four teams in the Pacific time zone and marks the third major women's professional sports team in the area.
What does the PWHL expansion mean for women's hockey in Northern California?
The move introduces professional women's hockey to the region for the first time and positions San Jose as a key market. It follows the league's pattern of selecting strong expansion locations like New York and Seattle.
How many teams will the PWHL have after adding San Jose?
San Jose becomes the 12th franchise overall and the fourth expansion team added by the PWHL. This growth continues the league's rapid development since its launch.
Why was San Jose selected for the latest PWHL expansion?
San Jose offers a strong market with existing sports infrastructure at SAP Center and ties to the Sharks organization. The decision aligns with rising interest in women's professional sports across the Bay Area.
PWHL adds San Jose as 12th franchise for 2026-27 at SAP Center (orange/blue/white colors honoring city flag, 1000+ deposits open, Chastain/Yamaguchi ties, Sharks partnership). Builds on Valkyries/Bay FC momentum; schedule/tickets TBD.