The PWHL is bringing women's hockey to the San Francisco Bay Area by choosing San Jose, California, as its fourth and final market during the league's latest round of expansion, according to multiple reports.
The development was first reported earlier Friday by The Hockey News.
With the addition of San Jose, the PWHL increases to 12 teams, doubling the league's size since it started in 2024 and broadening its geographical reach.
The city is home to the NHL's Sharks and gives the league a four-team foothold in the West. Las Vegas is another expansion market, and Seattle and Vancouver joined the league last year. The team would likely play at the Sharks' arena, the SAP Center.
The PWHL also added franchises in Detroit and Hamilton, Ontario, over the past two weeks.
Executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer previously told The Associated Press that the league's priorities include geographic diversity and reducing travel time between markets. Scheer also said the PWHL has been exploring splitting into two conferences or divisions.
The PWHL's original six franchises are Boston, New York, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Minnesota.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
