ESPN+ has added another sports league to its growing portfolio. The streaming giant will be home to the top women’s hockey league in North America after announcing a new right’s agreement to become the exclusive streaming home of the Premier Hockey Federation. Previously known as the National Women’s Hockey League, the 2021-2022 PHF season will begin on Saturday, November 6, and ESPN+ will stream 60 regular-season games, special events, and the Isobel Cup Playoffs.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the PHF and most importantly for our athletes who deserve the exposure that a major network can provide,” said PHF Commissioner Tyler Tumminia. “Partnering with ESPN+ is a significant step in our history as we continue to grow the sport with a platform that will introduce our new era to a larger audience with an enhanced standard for how our games will be delivered.”
Each of the league’s 6 teams will be on the ice on opening day, with a marquee game between the Minnesota Whitecaps and Boston Pride in a rematch of last year’s Isobel Cup Final. The Boston Pride will be looking to defend their title after defeating the Whitecaps 4-3 in the finals of last year’s bubble season.
Subscribers to ESPN+ can watch all of the drama and hard-hitting action of the upcoming PHF season for only $6.99 per month, or $69.99 annually, and never miss a body check or game-winning goal. The season will be played over 19 weekends, with each team playing a 20-game schedule, 10 home and 10 away, with 4 games against the other 5 opponents. Plus, ESPN+ will be the streaming home of an outdoor game between the Buffalo Beauts and Toronto Six at Buffalo RiverWorks entertainment complex on Monday, February, 21.
“The Premier Hockey Federation is an exciting, up-and-coming league that we look forward to presenting to hockey fans in the U.S. exclusively on ESPN+,” said John Lasker, Vice President, Digital Media Programming, ESPN. “As the top professional women’s hockey league in North America, the PHF makes a great addition to our growing lineup of hockey on ESPN+, which now includes NCAA men’s and women’s hockey, the Kontinental Hockey League from Europe and Asia, and more than 1,000 NHL games this season.”