The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) achieved a historic milestone during the 'Battle on Bay Street' event at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, setting a new attendance record for a women's hockey game. The event saw a turnout of 20,000 spectators, surpassing the previous PWHL record of 13,316 in attendance for a game between Minnesota and Montréal at Xcel Energy Center, and the 18,013 who watched the 2013 IIHF event. The high demand for PWHL gear, with lines stretching around the concourse and merchandise selling out, underscored the growing interest in women's hockey. The record crowd not only highlights the sport's rising popularity but also suggests a potential move from the cozy but too small Mattamy Athletic Centre to larger venues for future games. The successful event, marked by a Toronto victory, was celebrated as a significant achievement for women's sports, sparking dreams and breaking glass ceilings.
PWHL breaks women’s hockey all-time attendance record with ‘Battle on Bay Street’ in Toronto ⤵️ https://t.co/up2CA1YxAz
Last night at Scotiabank Arens is the latest proof of concept that there is an audience for women’s professional hockey. How did the PWHL’s record game come together? And what might come next? More details via The Athletic: https://t.co/bSqJCNHKr8
PWHL’s Battle of Bay Street sets women’s hockey attendance mark https://t.co/woRDv4zWJo
That’s a wrap from Scotiabank Arena. Historic crowd. Toronto victory. Dreams sparked. Special night for women’s hockey. Now to the end of the first Scotties draw. https://t.co/JzRyGmrqHa
With the record crowd for a women’s hockey game set tonight in Toronto showing the demand for the sport, don’t be surprised if this is Toronto’s last season at the cozy but too small Mattamy Athletic Centre. PWHL already considering larger venues.
Breaking records and glass ceilings. 👏 This breaks the record for the largest crowd at any women's hockey game, surpassing the PWHL record of 13,316 in attendance for PWHL Minnesota against PWHL Montréal, at Xcel Energy Center, as well as the 18,013 who watched the 2013 IIHF… https://t.co/MJc8C49Acm
20,000 people watching professional women’s hockey in Toronto! @thepwhlofficial https://t.co/J6qBUfSh4i
Shout out to @Devin_Heroux for covering the two biggest spots events in Canada this night. The start of the Scotties (and all happening heading in) and the amazing record crowd for the @thepwhlofficial in Toronto. Both huge. Both women's events. This #DadOfGirls is proud
Walking around the concourse quickly at Scotiabank Arena and the lineups for PWHL gear are wild. Gonna sell out of everything tonight. This place is buzzzzzzing. Outstanding.
There’s a Battle on Bay Street rally towel on ever seat inside Scotiabank Arena. It’ll be an electric scene here. What a great night this is for women’s hockey and women’s sports. https://t.co/dUQ0vmKsKq