The PWHL is going national, with the third-year league announcing Thursday that it will air its first-ever nationally broadcast game on US linear television later this month.
The New York Sirens and Montréal Victoire's upcoming Takeover Tour matchup at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit will air live on ION on Saturday, March 28th, reaching more than 126 million households in an effort to expand "the visibility and viability of women's sports across the country."
While PWHL games air live across Canada on TSN, the league has yet to secure a full-time broadcast partner in the US, relying instead on local media deals and YouTube streaming.
Game sponsor Ally — a longtime investor in women's sports — will pull double-duty as the presenting sponsor of the historic broadcast as well, with the Detroit-based financial services company partnering with ION parent company Scripps Sports to give the Tour stop a national platform.
The PWHL is looking to build on Team USA's Olympic momentum after February's gold medal win over Canada averaged a record 5.3 million viewers — marking a watershed moment for women's hockey in North America.
"Fan interest in women's hockey is at an all-time high," said Scripps Sports president Brian Lawlor in a statement, calling the company "thrilled...to bring the excitement of this league to a national audience for the first time."
How to watch the 1st-ever nationally televised PWHL game
The New York Sirens will take on the Montréal Victoire in Detroit at 1 PM ET on Saturday, March 28th, airing live on ION.
