Inaugural Toronto PWHL game pulls in almost 3 million viewers

An historic home opener for the Toronto’s PWHL game as almost 3 million Canadian viewers tuned in on New Year’s Day to catch the game between the home team and New York.

New York beat Toronto 4-0 in front of a sold-out crowd at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, reflecting the city’s keen interest in the league.

It combined for an average audience of 879,000 people and was the number one sports or entertainment program of the day across all of the networks.

“The enthusiastic response to our historic opening game reflects Canada’s national interest in our sport, our outstanding athletes and the PWHL,” said Stan Kasten, PWHL Advisory Board member.

“We truly hear the statement our viewing audience made Monday, and we cherish the level of engagement shown. We will work even more intently with our broadcast partners to build the PWHL community through the quality productions and storytelling our great fans deserve.”

The opening game viewership was followed by a record-setting attendance on Jan. 2 when over 8,000 fans sold-out the league’s second ever game between Ottawa and Montreal at the Arena at TD Place.

Ontario native Emma Woods is still taking in the moment of being a part of another significant moment in hockey. It happened on the same ice that Woods scored the OT goal in March of 2023 to keep her then-Premier Federation Hockey team the Toronto Six’s playoff hopes alive.

“As a player, you just want to enjoy the moment, enjoy the fans, enjoy everything around us and really embrace how far we’ve come as a group,” said Woods. “This is a big step for us and I think it’s a long time coming so [I’m] just enjoying that moment.”

Woods said there was some nerves when the Premier Hockey Federation was bought out and dissolved to make way for the PWHL.

“We built a pretty good program there. We had an amazing fan base. We had a ton of supporters. So it was hard letting that go,” said Woods. “You’re never sure where you’re going land … So I was trying to just trust the process and obviously it worked out.”

“Every step we’ve taken is special and I no regrets on any step I’ve taken in my professional career and it’s all been amazing and it’s got me here.”

Friday night will mark New York’s homeopener where Toronto will have a chance to avenge their loss.

She said they are working to build a fanbase like the one she had in Toronto in New York. “It’s night one tonight. We’re hoping for a good turnout, but I think it’s just the start.

Woods said she also has lots of family driving down for the game from her hometown in Courtice. Puck drops at 7 p.m.