CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada is back for its 90th season, but this year the iconic Saturday‑night slot will feature eight prime‑time Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) games, beginning on Dec. 5 with Montreal Victoire hosting the new Hamilton team.

The change follows CBC’s June 16 announcement that it would stop broadcasting NHL games after the network and rights‑holder Rogers Sportsnet could not agree on a new sublicensing deal.

By pairing the HNIC brand with the PWHL, CBC will provide free, comprehensive coverage that includes pre‑ and post‑game analysis and digital content on CBCSports.ca and social media, extending the tradition of accessible hockey to a new audience.

The PWHL enters its fourth season with 12 teams, adding expansion clubs such as Hamilton to the league’s growing footprint. Amy Scheer, the PWHL’s executive vice‑president of business operations, said the partnership “represents another groundbreaking step for the PWHL to connect with our fans and forge new traditions together.”

CBC also retained the Hockey Night in Canada trademark and secured exclusive audio broadcast rights for all Victoire games in the 2026‑27 season. Chris Wilson, CBC’s executive director of Sports and Olympics, called the deal “a new chapter in sports history” that gives audiences free access to world‑class hockey.

Putting the HNIC name on women’s professional hockey not only boosts visibility for the sport but also demonstrates a concrete commitment to gender‑balanced coverage, potentially reshaping how Canadian audiences experience major sporting events.