Women’s professional sports are in the middle of a period of tremendous growth across the country, and Boston has benefited from that growth with the success of the city’s Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) team.
The team advanced to the Walter Cup finals against Minnesota in the league’s inaugural season and forced a deciding Game 5 on Wednesday in front of a sold out crowd at the Tsongas Center in Lowell.
The league has existed for less than a year, and already, mixed in throughout the crowd, were large numbers of engaged fans wearing PWHL Boston jerseys and merchandise.
“This league took off full-throttle, more than we could have imagined,” Boston coach Courtney Kessel said. “We are grateful for this opportunity. … It’s incredible for every single athlete. Just so proud of our group and how we battled back all year.”
In addition to hockey, the popularity of women’s basketball has grown exponentially in recent years with the help of players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink.
When it comes to women’s soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is regularly adding new teams, including a team in Boston that is set to start playing in 2026.
PWHL Boston will always be proud of helping grow the popularity of women’s sports in the region, but the team also can’t wait until the city’s newest NWSL team comes to town.
“A rising tide lifts all ships,” Boston forward Hilary Knight said. “We benefit from many women and men that can before us to get us to this position. This year it seems like women’s sports is really breaking through. We are excited to be the first in market, but we are excited for that new team to join us, among other teams. It’s exciting to be a woman in sports right now and at this level.”
