In case you somehow missed it, interest in hockey has exploded among women in recent years, a newfound passion that’s partially been developed off the ice. The rise of hockey romance stories, like Heated Rivalry and the Off-Campus series, has pulled new audiences into the sport’s orbit, inspiring women to tune into the real-life games on TV and at the rinks. However, a lot of the fanfare has been centered specifically around men’s hockey… but that’s changing, and women’s hockey is now getting more of the spotlight.
Team USA took home the gold medal in women’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in an electric showdown against Canada that gave fans a peek at the speed, skill, and edge-of-your seat intensity that characterizes the sport of women’s hockey. Soon, after the men’s team also took home the gold for the U.S., and following that team’s controversial post-win celebration, many fans are looking for more ways to show their support for the women’s hockey team — and for women’s sports overall.
Luckily, supporting women’s hockey is pretty easy — just become a fan! The collegiate and professional world of women’s hockey is expanding rapidly, creating greater visibility, interesting storylines, world stars, and a pathway for young athletes to compete at a top level. Whether you’re a men’s hockey fan interested in learning more about the other side of the rink, or you’re getting into the sport for the first time, here is what to know about the game and how to start watching.
Is There a Pro Hockey League For Women In The U.S?
Founded in 2023, the Professional Women Hockey League is the professional league that encompasses both the U.S and Canada, and it’s rapidly becoming the top professional destination for elite players around the world. For three seasons now, the league has been home to the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, Seattle Torrent, Toronto Sceptres, and the Vancouver Goldeneyes. These teams compete each season for the prestigious Walter Cup, the league’s ultimate prize.
Most PWHL players come from successful college programs in the United States and Canada, including NCAA D1 colleges, top Canadian university leagues, and national team programs.
When Is Women’s Hockey Season?
For college hockey, the NCAA Division I women’s season begins in September and carries through a series of regular-season plays to February, as teams solidify their spots in the conference’s championship, the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four. In March, the top four teams face off in the Frozen Four, a single-elimination showdown that decides the national champion.
The PWHL’s 120-game season begins in November. The 2025-2026 season includes 76 games and 44 standalone matchups. Game days vary between Tuesday through Sunday. The Walter Cup Championship tournaments take place during late March to early April, when the top four teams compete to become the league’s reigning champion.
Are There Different Rules In Men’s & Women’s Hockey?
If you are already a men’s hockey fan, don’t let minor differences discourage you from enjoying women’s hockey. The basic rules of ice hockey — for example, goals, offside, icing, and penalties, are shared across men’s and women’s hockey. The most noticeable differences are in how physical play is regulated. In most women’s hockey games, hitting another player on purpose (AKA body-checking) is usually not allowed, compared to men’s hockey, where it’s a big part of the game. Because body-checking is limited, women’s hockey focuses more on speed, moving into the right positions, handling the puck, and planning smart plays. This makes the game flow differently from men’s hockey, but fans tend to enjoy the mix of skill, speed, and strategy that it creates.
There are also some league-specific rules for the PWHL; the most important one is the points system for the overall rankings in a given season. The PWHL enforces a 3-2-1-0 point system, which is designed to reward regulation-time wins and maximize competitiveness because of its impacted on the season championship. The team earns 3 points for winning within a 60-minute game (no overtime). The team earns 2 points for winning outside of regulation, meaning in overtime or shootout. The team earns 1 point if they lose during an overtime or shootout. The only time a team does not earn points is when they have a loss during a game within regulation, meaning a 60-minute game.
How To Watch Women’s Hockey Games
The NCAA Women’s hockey season can be enjoyed through a broad streaming and broadcast coverage, most notably on ESPN. The Frozen Four and NCAA tournaments are typically available on major platforms. Plus, all of the PWHL games are streamed for free on the league’s YouTube channel and on the official league website. This approach makes it super easy for new fans to jump right in! Due to the league still being in its infancy (it’s only three seasons old!), it has not yet been adopted by most sports networks in the United States. However, more and more on-air coverage is being added each season. Team-specific games are currently being covered in the United States by NESN (Boston Fleet), FANDUEL (Minnesota Frost), MSG (New York Sirens), and FOX13 (Seattle Torrent). In Canada, you can watch regular-season games on TSN and SPORTSNET; Saturday games can be watched on CBS & Radio Canada; and you can watch Tuesday games with a Prime Video subscription.