Denver NWSL Opener Could Break Attendance Record

The new NWSL team that will debut in Denver will play its inaugural home match at Empower Field at Mile High, home to the Denver Broncos. The match has the potential to set a new attendance record for a match in the league.

Denver Summit FC will begin its season March 28, 2026, as it becomes the 16th club in the league. While regular-season games in its first seasons are expected to be played at a temporary venue in Centennial, Colorado, south of Denver, the opening match called “The Kickoff” will move the larger capacity venue in Denver. The team is planning a permanent 12,000-seat venue to be open in 2028, one of the few stadiums in the country dedicated primarily for women’s sports.

“This will be an unforgettable moment for our club, our players, our city and our fans,” said Denver Summit FC President Jen Millet. “We’re honored to play our first home match and host ‘The Kickoff’ in such an iconic stadium. We’re grateful to the community for the incredible support to help us reach this moment.”

The NWSL single-match attendance record was set earlier this year, when 40,091 spectators watched the Washington Spirit and Bay FC on August 23, 2025, at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Empower Field’s seating capacity in Denver is 76,125.

“We are honored to support Denver Summit FC for their inaugural match at Empower Field at Mile High,” said Broncos President Damani Leech. “This venue has hosted many memorable moments in Colorado sports history, and we look forward to working together to bring a best-in-class experience for Summit FC fans.”