MSG game set to break U.S. women's hockey attendance mark

An April 4 PWHL game at Madison Square Garden is expected to break the U.S. attendance record for a professional women's hockey game.

The contest between the New York Sirens and Seattle Torrent is sold out, and the venerable arena has a capacity of 18,006 fans.

A PWHL spokesperson told ESPN that the sellout was fueled by "riding the wave of the Winter Olympics," with a significant spike in interest and ticket sales since Team USA's overtime victory against Canada to win the gold medal last month in Milan.

"New York sets the standard for excellence, and the response to April 4 at Madison Square Garden confirms that this market is ready, eager to embrace women's hockey at the highest level," Sirens general manager Pascal Daoust said in a statement. "Selling out The World's Most Famous Arena is a defining moment for the New York Sirens and a powerful statement about the growth of our league, the passion of our fans, and our commitment to building something lasting and great, all together."

The PWHL also confirmed Thursday that an April 11 game has sold out at Boston's TD Garden featuring the host Boston Fleet and the Montreal Victoire. Capacity for that facility is 17,800.

The ink is barely dry on the current U.S. attendance record of 17,335, set on Feb. 27 at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena for a contest between the Torrent and Toronto Sceptres.

"Playing in front of sold-out buildings at Madison Square Garden and TD Garden is a historic moment for our athletes -- and our sport," said Jayna Hefford, PWHL executive vice president of hockey operations. "As they've shown time and again, when the spotlight is brightest, our players show up, giving two capacity crowds in New York and Boston the chance to see their world-class talent on full display."

The Sirens typically play their home games on the other side of the Hudson River at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils.

The PWHL launched in 2023-24 with six teams. Seattle and the Vancouver Goldeneyes joined the league for its current third season.

--Field Level Media