
The National Women’s Soccer League has announced Denver, Colorado as the competition’s 16th franchise. The Denver team will first play in the 2026 season, joining Boston as the latest city to enter the competition in this round of expansion and ultimately boosting the NWSL from 14 to 16 clubs.
Currently, the Denver franchise is organising plans for a brand-new stadium and performance facility centre for female athletes in the city. Additionally, the Denver team name, colours and logo are set to be revealed soon.
Commissioner of the NWSL, Jessica Berman, expressed the importance of the upcoming Denver team.
“As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, we knew it was critical to launch our 16th team in a city with a passionate sports culture and vibrant fan base, and Denver is the perfect match,” she said via press release.
“The club’s plans for a purpose-built stadium and state-of-the-art training facility demonstrate a commitment to providing world-class environments for our players and fans alike. With this ownership group’s vision and dedication, we are confident that Denver NWSL will set new standards for excellence on and off the pitch, inspiring the next generation of players and supporters across the Rocky Mountain region.”
Denver Mayor, Mike Johnston, expressed what the new team would mean for the city.
“Despite producing some of the world’s greatest players and being home to the best sports fans in the country, Denver has been deprived of its own professional women’s team,” he said in a press release.
“That changes today. We’re proud to announce that professional women’s soccer is coming to Denver and that generations of Denverites will soon be able to cheer on the nation’s top talent in their own backyard.
Having worked side-by-side with investors to make this happen, I know the group behind this bid is as committed to putting together a world-class experience as they are to winning, and I look forward to seeing you on opening weekend 2026. Game on.”
The Denver team will be headed and backed by a range of local and national investors, including FirstTracks Sports Ventures and Project Level, a subsidiary of Ariel Investments.