The Premier Hockey Federation (PWHL) is adding an expansion franchise in San Jose for the 2026–27 season, bringing the league to 12 teams across North America. Multiple outlets report that San Jose is part of the league’s next wave of expansion and will be its fourth expansion team in the upcoming period. The new team will join existing expansion franchises including Detroit, Hamilton, and Las Vegas, which are also identified as the other teams expanding ahead of the league’s coming seasons. With San Jose included, the PWHL doubles in size compared with its starting point after launching in 2024, growing from its initial number of teams to 12. The reports agree on the timing and league size outcome, stating that San Jose’s entry is scheduled for the 2026–27 season and that the league’s total membership will reach 12 teams once the franchise begins play. All accounts describe the move as an expansion of the league’s footprint and confirm the San Jose franchise as the next addition.