Montreal Victoire Celebrates Walter Cup Win with Thousands of Fans
Written By Josie Dinonsie
MONTREAL — The Montreal Victoire became the first Canadian team to hoist the Walter Cup, and on Saturday, May 30, they got to celebrate that accomplishment with more than 20,000 fans. The Victoire battled their way to becoming the strongest team in the PWHL this season, and now they are discovering just how strong the support is within the Montreal community.
Transforming the city into a sea of burgundy, Victoire fans took over downtown Montreal and enthusiastically greeted the 2025–26 Walter Cup champions. Filled with cheers, chants, player-filled tour buses, and plenty of excitement, the celebration served as a fitting conclusion to the team's remarkable season.
The championship celebration was more than just a party; it represented the team's impact on Montreal and the city's sports culture.
Led by stars Marie-Phillip Poulin and Ann-Renée Desbiens, the Victoire finished atop the regular-season standings and carried that momentum into the playoffs. Through immense skill and dedication, the team achieved hockey's ultimate goal: winning the championship.
But when players took the stage in Montreal to celebrate their title, the statistics and details of their season mattered less. Instead, their connection with the fans became the focus.
Families and friends lined the streets hours before the festivities, eager to welcome the city's first PWHL champions. Young girls wearing Victoire jerseys and carrying handmade posters showed their support, while lifelong hockey fans gathered with the same enthusiasm as players passed by on buses, hoisting the Walter Cup.
Stretching several blocks, the crowd created an atmosphere often associated with long-established professional sports franchises and their championship parades. With the PWHL completing only its third season, the scale of the celebration was especially significant.
This celebration comes after years of advocacy for women's hockey. Many fans and players have dedicated years of their lives to growing the game, and now that effort is being rewarded in one of hockey's great epicenters: Montreal.
Since the Montreal Victoire was founded, the city has consistently shown its support. Home crowds have ranked among the league's most energetic and loyal, selling out arenas and creating one of the toughest environments for visiting teams.
The turnout at the Walter Cup celebration is further proof that support for the team continues to grow. During their speeches, players expressed their gratitude to fans, acknowledging how meaningful that dedication has been.
With fans chanting players' names, music blasting, and players engaging with the crowd, the bond between the team and the city was unmistakable. Moments like these showcase how far professional women's hockey has come in such a short period of time.
The PWHL was founded with the goal of creating a sustainable professional league for women's hockey players. Just three years later, fans and players have exceeded expectations, with thousands showing up to celebrate a women's hockey championship as though it were a longstanding tradition.
At the conclusion of the event, as players posed for photos with the Walter Cup, the emotion and pride on display made it clear that this celebration represented more than just a trophy. Fueled by dedicated fans, Montreal fully embraced its team and cemented the Victoire as an important part of the city's identity.
