A record crowd of 17,228 fans attended the PWHL Takeover Tour game between the Montréal Victoire and New York Sirens at Capital One Arena on Sunday, marking the highest in-arena attendance for women's hockey in U.S. history. The event highlighted the growing popularity of women's sports in Washington, D.C., and featured special moments like Victoire forward Hayley Scamurra honoring her father by wearing his old Washington Capitals jersey. The Sirens won 2-1, continuing the league's momentum with multiple attendance milestones.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced that Sunday's Professional Women's Hockey League game at Capital One Arena surpassed the previous U.S. record of 16,014 set on November 28, 2025, during a matchup between the Seattle Torrent and Minnesota Frost at Climate Pledge Arena. This was the first PWHL contest in the District of Columbia, broadcast locally on Monumental Sports Network.
The game was part of the PWHL Takeover Tour, an initiative to expand women's professional hockey to new markets. The 2025-26 tour includes 16 neutral-site games across 11 cities in the U.S. and Canada, building on last season's success that drew over 123,000 fans and set several records.
Victoire forward Hayley Scamurra added a personal touch by wearing her father Peter Scamurra's old Washington Capitals sweater from his playing days with the team (1975-1980). 'There’s so much history there,' Hayley said. 'It’s how he and my mom met, too, when he played for the Capitals. So, I think to be able to go to where he started his pro career and getting to continue mine and grow the women’s game in the same area is pretty cool.' The New York Sirens also showed support by arriving in Capitals jerseys. Scamurra recorded an assist on the Victoire's lone goal in their 2-1 loss.
Ted Leonsis, founder, chairman, managing partner, and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, praised the event: 'We’re incredibly proud to see Capital One Arena serve as the stage for another historic moment with today’s record-setting PWHL game. Whether it’s on the ice or the court, these record-setting crowds are the result of deliberate investment, long-term partnership, and a belief that women’s sports deserve to be celebrated at the highest level.'
Amy Scheer, PWHL EVP of Business Operations, added: 'What an incredible day at Capital One Arena. Washington, D.C. showed up in such a big way, and the energy our fans brought into the arena turned this game into something truly special.'
The weekend included community events at MedStar Capitals Iceplex, such as open practices, autograph sessions, and girls' youth hockey clinics led by the Capitals' ALL CAPS ALL HER program, which has engaged over 5,000 women and girls since 2021. This aligns with Monumental's broader commitment to women's sports, including a recent WNBA attendance record of 20,711 in September 2024.
