The PWHL set another attendance record on Sunday.
An announced crowd of 17,228 packed into Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., to watch the New York Sirens defeat the Montreal Victoire 2-1. It’s the largest crowd ever for a professional women’s hockey game in the United States
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The previous record was 16,014, set at the Seattle Climate Pledge Arena on November 28, 2025, for a game between the Seattle Torrents and Minnesota Frost.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) founder Ted Leonsis said in a statement that he is “incredibly proud” of Capital One Arena’s strong support of the PWHL.
“Whether on the ice or on the court, these record attendances are the result of thoughtful investment, long-term partnerships and the belief that women’s sport deserves to be celebrated at the highest level,” Leonsis said.
MSE owns three professional teams in Washington: the NHL Capitals, NBA Wizards and WNBA Mystics.
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In September 2024, a WNBA game between the Mystics and Indiana Fever drew 20,711 fans, setting a league attendance record for a game.
In a market that currently lacks a PWHL team, record attendance numbers could fuel the league’s expansion efforts. PWHL executive vice president of business operations Amy Scheer said in October that two to four teams could be added next season.
The PWHL expanded to Seattle and Vancouver this season, the league’s second time.
Sunday’s game in Washington is part of the PWHL’s Takeover Tour, which includes 16 neutral-site games in 11 cities across the United States and Canada.
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This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
women’s hockey
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