On a remarkable Sunday night in Detroit, history was made as the Minnesota Frost squared off against the New York Sirens, drawing an unprecedented crowd of 14,288 enthusiastic fans. This event not only broke the attendance record for professional women’s hockey in the United States but also served as a beacon of hope and progress for women in sports. Kendall Coyne Schofield, a standout forward for the Frost, captured the sentiment of the moment when she stated, “It’s another extremely, big win for the sport globally,” emphasizing the significance of this milestone within a broader global context.
This event, part of the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s (PWHL) ambitious Takeover Tour, showcased the growing popularity of women’s hockey and its potential to elevate women’s sports on the global stage. By choosing iconic venues like the Little Caesars Arena, the PWHL is sending a clear message: women’s sports deserve equal spotlight and investment. The challenge now is to maintain this momentum and keep fans engaged long after these record-setting nights.
A Past of Performances and Records
To fully appreciate the significance of this event, one must look back at the trajectory of attendance records within women’s hockey. Prior to this weekend, the previous U.S. attendance record was held by a match in Denver, where 14,018 fans witnessed the Frost compete against the Montreal Victoire. Just a year earlier, 13,736 fans filled the stands in Detroit for a similar event, illustrating a steady upward trend in viewership and support. Despite these encouraging figures, the world record for women’s hockey attendance stands at 21,105, which was achieved during a PWHL match between Montreal and Toronto—a stark reminder of the journey still ahead.
In 2017, St. Cloud State set a notable benchmark with 15,359 attendees, and more recently, a U.S. women’s national team game against Canada attracted 14,551 fans in Seattle. The evolution of these numbers signals a rejection of the outdated perceptions around women’s involvement in sports, paving the way for a brighter future.
The League’s Expanding Fanbase and Future Prospects
As the PWHL continues its Takeover Tour, which is now set to end in St. Louis with an exciting matchup between the Ottawa Charge and the Boston Fleet, it has become evident that the league is becoming a significant player in the sports industry. Averaging over 7,000 fans per game this season, a substantial increase from last year’s 5,500, further solidifies the growing demand for women’s hockey. The announcement of over 1 million total fans attending games since the league’s inception last season marks another significant leap, showing that a robust audience is hungry for more engaging and competitive women’s sports.
The fans who participated in this record-breaking event were not merely bystanders; they actively engaged with players who commemorated the landmark with pucks, creating an unforgettable experience and fostering a community around the sport. It’s this kind of interaction that will ultimately determine the sustainability of women’s hockey and its ability to attract support and sponsorship in the years to come.
While the PWHL is on a promising trajectory, the call for ongoing investment in women’s sports remains critical. It is essential for stakeholders to recognize that these milestones are not mere statistics; they represent the increasing visibility and respect for female athletes who have long been working toward their rightful place in the sporting world.