PWHL increases minimum salary and roster size for 2026-27

The PWHL is increasing the minimum player salary from around $38,000 to $42,000 for the 2026-27 season and will raise it to $52,500 by the 2030-31 season, the league and the PWHL Players Association announced Thursday. 

The increased salaries headline a list of sweeping changes to pay and roster construction, including teams increasing to 24-player rosters for the upcoming campaign and abolishing the league’s “reserve player” status, which had players in full-commitment but only making $15,000 as a full-season stipend. 

“As the PWHL expands from eight to 12 teams, these changes reflect our shared commitment to creating more opportunities for players, strengthening the economic foundation of professional women’s hockey and supporting the league’s long-term growth,” the joint statement said.

“The PWHL and PWHLPA remain committed to working collaboratively to advance player opportunities, compensation, and the continued growth of professional women’s hockey.”

With the increase in roster sizes, 288 players will be under contract for the 2026-27 season across the league’s dozen teams, now split into two conferences of six for the first time. 

At the same time, teams can use a One-Game Standard Player Agreement mechanism to sign replacements in case of injuries or other hardships that hit the roster. 

While the season is not set to get underway until Dec. 5, competitive hockey has already dropped the puck, with pre-tournament international games in the lead-up to the first edition of the rescheduled fall IIHF Women’s World Championship, set to take place in Denmark from Nov. 6-16 as a precursor to the professional season in North America. 

Before the season openers, PWHL teams will open training camps on Nov. 18, with each team set to play at least two preseason games, which are expected to be closed to the public in the lead-up to the league’s fourth season on the ice.