The Seattle Torrent’s home opener against the Minnesota Frost on Friday night made history by setting a new attendance record for professional women’s hockey in the United States. The game, held at Climate Pledge Arena—home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken—attracted an impressive crowd of 16,014 fans, surpassing the previous record of 14,288 set during a neutral-site game in Detroit last season.
Despite the record-breaking turnout, the Torrent faced a tough challenge on the ice, succumbing to the Frost with a score of 3-0. This victory marked the first win of the season for the back-to-back champions, while the Torrent, who had previously lost their first game in overtime 4-3, found themselves still searching for their first victory of the 2025-26 season.
The recent game is particularly significant as it highlights the growth of the Premier Hockey Federation (PWHL), which expanded ahead of its third season by adding new teams in Seattle and Vancouver. The surge in attendance at the home opener is a testament to the league’s successful westward expansion strategy and the growing interest in women’s hockey.
Just a week prior, the Vancouver Goldeneyes made their debut by selling out the Pacific Coliseum with 14,958 fans, setting a record for the largest crowd at a regular PWHL home venue—until the Torrent’s opener. Additionally, Seattle’s inaugural jersey sales on October 21 achieved the highest single-day sales in PWHL history, with Vancouver closely following in ticket demand, leading the league in season ticket sales. Seattle ranks third, just behind Toronto.
The PWHL’s expansion and increasing fan engagement have not gone unnoticed, as executive vice president of business operations, Amy Scheer, hinted at the possibility of adding two to four more teams by next season. This announcement came during her address to the Ottawa city council last month, reflecting the league’s ambition to grow further.
As the season progresses, the Seattle Torrent and the PWHL continue to showcase the evolving landscape of women’s hockey, with fan support and attendance setting new milestones along the way. The excitement surrounding the league indicates a promising future for women’s sports, as more fans engage with their local teams and the sport gains traction across the country.