PWHL Takeover Tour Stops in Detroit, Drawing 15,938 Fans

Montreal Victoire defeat New York Sirens 3-1 at Little Caesars Arena

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:04am

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Southeast Michigan made another strong case for a Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) team of its own as 15,938 fans were in attendance at Little Caesars Arena to see the Montreal Victoire defeat the New York Sirens 3-1 on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Why it matters

The large crowd size and enthusiastic fan support demonstrated the potential for a PWHL franchise in the Detroit area, which has a rich hockey history and a passionate fan base that could help grow the women's professional game.

The details

The Victoire defeated the Sirens 3-1 in the second round of the PWHL Takeover Tour, with goals from Montreal's Catherine DeBois and Kaitlin Willoughby. Brighton, Michigan native Shiann Darkangelo and Detroit Country Day graduate Elle Hartje played key roles for the Sirens in the loss.

  • The game took place on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
  • It was part of the PWHL Takeover Tour, a series of showcase events held across North America.

The players

Montreal Victoire

The professional women's hockey team representing Montreal in the PWHL.

New York Sirens

The professional women's hockey team representing New York in the PWHL.

Catherine DeBois

A forward for the Montreal Victoire who scored a goal in the game.

Kaitlin Willoughby

A forward for the Montreal Victoire who scored a goal in the game.

Shiann Darkangelo

A forward from Brighton, Michigan who played for the New York Sirens.

Elle Hartje

A forward from Detroit Country Day who played for the New York Sirens.

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What’s next

The PWHL is expected to announce expansion plans in the coming months, with Detroit being considered as a potential new market.

The takeaway

The strong attendance and fan engagement at the PWHL Takeover Tour event in Detroit underscores the city's readiness and enthusiasm for a professional women's hockey franchise. This could be a significant step towards the PWHL expanding into the Southeast Michigan market.