EA signs multi-year agreement with Professional Women’s Hockey League
November 14, 2024
Electronic Arts Inc. has announced a multi-year partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL), which will bring the players and teams into EA SPORTS NHL® 25.
The partnership advances EA SPORTS commitment to grow and authentically represent women’s sports within its games, promoting and championing the next generation of athletes. In addition to the PWHL integration, EA SPORTS will provide new ways to play NHL 25, starting with NHL Arcade launching this Friday and 4 Nations Face-Off content coming early next year in time to celebrate the heavily anticipated mid-season, international tournament hosted by the NHL and NHLPA and featuring NHL stars from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the USA.
“We are thrilled to bring the PWHL into NHL 25 as part of a massive holiday update giving players all-new ways to play, starting in a couple of days with the frenetic energy of NHL Arcade through to the launch of 4 Nations Face-Off in the New Year,” said Bill Dollar, EA SPORTS NHL Executive Producer. “EA SPORTS continues to drive inclusivity and authenticity through its games, and in partnership with the PWHL, we will amplify the excitement of the women’s game for all fans.”
Launching December 5, the PWHL in NHL 25 will feature all six teams – the Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montréal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres in Play Now, Online Versus, Shootout and Season Modes. In addition, PWHL uniforms will be available in World of Chel, with players*, logos, and uniforms available in Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT). To fully immerse players in the authentic PWHL experience, the update will include The Walter Cup and advanced body skeletons through SAPIEN technology integration.
“Our partnership with EA SPORTS opens new doors to elevate women’s hockey across all levels,” said Amy Scheer, Senior Vice President of Business Operations, PWHL. “Through this alliance, we’ll develop in-game and out-of-game experiences that strengthen the bond between our teams, players, and fans, bringing the PWHL closer to the global hockey community.”
“EA SPORTS is proud to support the PWHL, which has pioneered the growth of women’s hockey in North America,” said Andrea Hopelain, GM & SVP, Publishing, EA SPORTS. “We look forward to working together to help elevate and grow women’s hockey to new and existing fans worldwide, starting by bringing PWHL teams and athletes to EA SPORTS NHL 25.”
The integration of the PWHL in NHL 25 reflects EA SPORTS ongoing commitment to authentically representing and growing women’s sports in-game by capturing the excitement of game day and showcasing the emergence of the next generation of elite athletes. Having initially showcased the women’s game in NHL 22 through the International Ice Hockey Federation agreement, Toronto Sceptres forward Sarah Nurse starred as a cover athlete the following year to celebrate their inclusion into Hockey Ultimate Team (HUT). The addition of PWHL teams and players complements recent women’s leagues and features introduced in EA SPORTS FC™, UFC, and PGA TOUR over the past few years.