What will replace Hockey Night in Canada? Women's sports will 'absolutely' get play: CBC

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But as Canadians grapple with the loss of a show that some say is woven into our very fabric, others are asking what might replace it. Given the rising value of women's sports — with the PWHL, WNBA and Northern Super League (NSL) all setting viewership records — some experts say it's time for the focus to shift.

"We need a bit of a refresh in the way that sport media looks and feels in this country."

"The PWHL and NSL are important properties for us, and our existing sports media rights include the most of the best Canadian and international women athletes," Wilson said Wednesday.

"We’re proud of our equal coverage and intend for Saturday nights to feature women’s sports prominently."

"I think for a lot of Canadians, a lot of our childhoods were sort of mixed in with the family gathering together on Saturday nights to watch hockey games."

And the next generation of fan is more diverse and more female, she added, citing an increased interest in sports beyond just hockey, baseball and basketball, as well as in women's leagues. She sees the shift as the network trying to better reflect the average fan's identity and desires.

Women's sports are becoming increasingly popular — and lucrative. The PWHL, for instance, experienced record attendance growth in its third season this year, and recently announced four new expansion teams in Hamilton, Detroit, Las Vegas and San Jose.

On April 4, the PWHL set a U.S. ‌attendance record for women's ice hockey when a sold-out crowd of 18,006 fans watched the New York Sirens ​host the Seattle Torrent at Madison Square Garden. For comparison, the Vancouver Canucks drew 18,001 to Rogers Arena in late March amid a disappointing season.

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While the NHL says this spring's Stanley Cup playoffs were its most watched on record in the U.S., according to ESPN, its viewership in general has been declining. In 2025, Sports Business Journal reported the NHL's regular-season viewership was its lowest yet.

"I would suggest the NHL has lost some fan base," Bradish said, citing recent events that have brought so-called hockey culture under the spotlight.

That could include the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial last summer — though all five players involved were acquitted — and U.S. President Donald Trump's locker room call with the men's Olympic hockey team, in which he joked he'd "have to" invite the gold medal-winning women's team to the White House, too.

"At the same time, the level of play in women's professional sport is so strong," Bradish said.

More than 1.1 million Canadians tuned into the NSL final between the Vancouver Rise FC and AFC Toronto last November. And the WNBA has seen explosive growth over the past few few years, setting viewership records, expanding its season from 44 to 50 games, and expanding its league — including the new Toronto Tempo.

Senior Writer & Editor

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