Bay Area lands yet another expansion franchise as historic $1bn valuation sparks new gold rush

The Professional Women’s Hockey League has awarded an expansion franchise to San Jose.

Detroit, Hamilton, and Las Vegas have already been added for the league’s fourth season as part of an aggressive growth strategy.

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Currently branded PWHL San Jose, the team will join NHL‘s Sharks at SAP Center for the 2026-27 season.

“San Jose and the Bay Area represent a compelling next step for the future of the PWHL, featuring a unique combination of established professional and youth hockey culture, record-setting support for women’s sports, continued opportunity for league geographic diversity, and a strong corporate base,” read a statement.

California ranks sixth in the U.S. in girls’ hockey participation despite its less-than-ideal climate.

The SAP center — dubbed the Shark Tank — opened in 1993 and can hold almost 18,000 people for hockey.

“Between a deeply rooted hockey culture, rapidly booming women’s sports scene, and a community known for growth and innovation, San Jose offers a dynamic stage for the PWHL to expand its reach and build lasting momentum,” said Amy Scheer, PWHL executive vice president of business operations.

“Thanks to the San Jose Sharks and City of San Jose’s incredible support systems already in place to grow our sport across the Bay Area, and their enthusiasm for embracing the future of women’s hockey, we have the foundation to establish a lasting and impactful new home for the PWHL in San Jose.

“Together, we’re excited to inspire and excite fans and grow hockey together on the West Coast.”

The new team will train at Sharks Ice and continues a trend of franchises heading to the Bay Area looking to cash in.

Owners flock to Bay Area gold mine

All four major men’s leagues are represented by the NFL’s 49ers, NBA’s Warriors, MLB’s Giants, and MLS’ Earthquakes.

Women’s sports are also front and center with WNBA‘s Valkyries, NWSL’s Bay FC soon to be joined by League One Volleyball’s San Francisco franchise and the Golden State Storm — a tackle football team that drew more than 2,000 fans to its home debut.

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The San Jose Lasers (1996 to 1998), San Jose CyberRays (2000 to 2003), and FC Gold Pride (2008 to 2010) all folded as the Bay Area went without a pro women’s team playing in a league with a media rights deal for over a decade.

But the tide has turned and the Valkyries became the first women’s franchise to smash the $1 billion threshold.

Bay FC is valued at over $200 million and the PWHL is hoping to join the gravy train.

Women’s hockey enjoyed a massive ratings boost at the Winter Olympics on both sides of the border as the U.S. and Canada fought for gold.

PWHLPA executive director Malaika Underwood revealed that the league will forego an expansion draft and the new teams will be granted windows to sign players. Current franchises can protect up to three stars.

The PWHL crossed the million-fan threshold in the current season and is selling more merchandise than ever before.