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PWHL establishes Eastern and Western conferences, expands to eight-team playoffs

The league will add four expansion clubs and use a best-of-three opening round before the Walter Cup final.

  • The Professional Women's Hockey League is establishing Eastern and Western conferences for its fourth season, doubling the playoff field from four to eight teams. This structural shift follows the league's expansion to 12 teams.
  • Driven by rapid expansion, the PWHL unveiled a 180-game regular-season schedule running from Dec. 5 through April 18. Each team plays 30 games, up from 120 total games last season due to growth from six to 12 teams.
  • Three rounds of playoffs will include best-of-three opening series and best-of-five conference finals. The popular "Takeover Tour" returns, expanding from 16 to 24 neutral-site games with locations yet to be revealed.
  • Featuring 49 Saturday and 39 Sunday games, the league designed a weekend-dominant schedule. An eight-day pause in March will coincide with the first-ever PWHL All-Star Game in Toronto.
  • Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Jayna Hefford said the changes will "deepen rivalries and fuel the competitiveness" that makes PWHL action exciting. These structural shifts position the league for sustained growth entering its fourth season.
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The Toronto StarThe Toronto Star
+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
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PWHL establishes Eastern and Western conferences, expands to eight-team playoffs

TORONTO - The Professional Women’s Hockey League is establishing Eastern and Western conferences this season and increasing the number of playoff teams from four to eight.

·Toronto, Canada
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The 12 teams of the Women's Professional Hockey League will be divided into two associations, and 8 of them will participate in the playoffs.

·Montreal, Canada
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Winnipeg Free Press broke the news in Winnipeg, Canada on Friday, October 2, 2026.
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