In a major move for both sports betting and women’s professional sports, FanDuel has officially partnered with the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). The deal, announced on Friday, will see FanDuel become the league’s exclusive sportsbook partner and its In-app Streaming Partner in the U.S. for the 2024 season.
This partnership represents a significant step forward in enhancing fan engagement and increasing the visibility of the PWHL. FanDuel will stream up to 90 regular-season PWHL games, as well as the playoffs, live on its app. This collaboration aims to bring the excitement of women’s professional hockey directly to fans’ fingertips, creating new opportunities for engagement.
FanDuel’s Role in the Partnership
FanDuel’s involvement goes beyond just sponsorship. As the exclusive In-app Streaming Partner, FanDuel will allow its users to watch live games from the PWHL. The ability to stream up to 90 games per season offers fans an easy and convenient way to follow the league’s teams and players throughout the season.
Additionally, FanDuel will be prominently featured in PWHL games, adding an extra layer of excitement for viewers. Sports fans using the FanDuel app can now access betting lines for various PWHL events, including live odds for games, Walter Cup (league championship) futures, PWHL awards futures, and even projections on which teams will make the playoffs.
Expanding the Reach of Women’s Hockey
This partnership is part of a larger effort to increase the reach and popularity of women’s hockey. The PWHL has made significant strides in its first year, attracting major brands as sponsors, including Air Canada, Scotiabank, and Gatorade, to name a few. With FanDuel on board, the league hopes to boost its visibility even further, bringing the excitement of women’s professional hockey to a broader audience.
The league currently features six teams, spread across the U.S. and Canada: Boston Fleet, Minnesota Frost, Montreal Victoire, New York Sirens, Ottawa Charge, and Toronto Sceptres. With the inaugural PWHL season completed in May, the new season kicked off earlier this month, with thrilling matchups already underway.
Betting Lines and Futures Markets
FanDuel’s extensive coverage of the PWHL goes beyond just streaming. On its app, users can find betting lines for the league’s regular-season games, as well as various futures markets. These include odds on the Walter Cup championship, team playoff chances, and even forecasts on which city will host a PWHL expansion team in 2025-2026. Cities like Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Chicago are among the front-runners, with Detroit receiving the shortest odds at -115.
The integration of betting markets into the PWHL is a game-changer for the league, allowing fans to place wagers on key moments of the season, including individual team performances and player accolades. For sports betting fans, it’s an exciting development that will likely drive more attention to the league.
Other Sportsbooks and Growing Interest
FanDuel isn’t the only sportsbook that has taken an interest in the PWHL. Other sportsbooks, such as BetMGM and OLG’s Proline, are also offering lines for PWHL games, including Walter Cup futures. TheScore Bet has jumped on the bandwagon, too, offering odds for the league’s top honors. However, some sportsbooks, like NorthStar Bets and DraftKings, have yet to offer markets for the PWHL.
As more sportsbooks get involved, the PWHL could see a rise in fan engagement and revenue. The inclusion of women’s sports in the betting world is an essential part of growing the industry, and with FanDuel’s backing, the PWHL is poised to benefit from increased exposure.
