PWHL Announces Major Expansion and Restructuring Ahead of Fourth Season
The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) is introducing two six-team conferences and an expanded playoff format for its fourth season, alongside adding four new teams and increasing its regular-season game count.

Bakersfield, CA, October 2, 2026 — The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is set to undergo significant structural changes and expansion ahead of its fourth season. The league announced plans to introduce two six-team conferences, a move that will alter the competitive landscape for its member clubs.
In addition to the restructured conferences, the PWHL will also implement an expanded playoff format, details of which were not specified in the announcement. The league’s growth is further underscored by the addition of four new teams, indicating a substantial increase in its overall size and reach.
The league also plans to increase the number of regular-season games played. The total number of games for the upcoming season was not provided. The contractor’s name for any new constructions or the timeline for these changes were not immediately available.
These developments signal a period of considerable growth and evolution for the PWHL as it prepares for its fourth year of operation.
Story summarized from the original created by JOHN WAWROW, Associated Press on www.kget.com, see more information here.
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