The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) set a new attendance milestone during the inaugural home game of its newest franchise, Denver Summit FC. On March 28, 2026, Empower Field at Mile High witnessed an impressive turnout of 63,004 fans for the match against the Washington Spirit.
Denver Summit FC Sets NWSL Attendance Record
This remarkable attendance not only broke the previous league record by over 20,000 tickets but also established a new standard for a stand-alone women’s soccer game in the United States. The previous record was established just a year prior.
Match Highlights
Despite the large crowd, the game ended in a 0-0 draw, disappointing fans who were eager to witness a goal. Summit winger Janine Sonis expressed her gratitude after the match, stating, “I had tears in my eyes… I’m just so grateful to be here.”
Community Support and Expectations
Denver entered the NWSL this year alongside Boston Legacy FC, bringing the total number of teams to 16. Denver Summit FC was officially announced as the league’s 16th franchise in January 2025. Controlling owner Rob Cohen acknowledged the overwhelming community support, saying, “This community has exceeded every expectation that we had in terms of turnout and ticket sales.”
The Kickoff Event
- Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.
- Event branded as: “The Kickoff.”
The team currently awaits the construction of a temporary stadium south of the city until a permanent facility is completed in 2028.
League Growth and Future Prospects
The record-breaking event showcased the growth of the NWSL, with past records being broken for four consecutive seasons. Notably, the Chicago Stars set the previous record in 2024 with 35,038 attendees at Wrigley Field, followed by Bay FC’s record of 40,091 at Oracle Park in 2025.
Despite a slight dip in average attendance across the league to 10,669 fans per game, the variance in crowd sizes remains significant. Teams like Chicago and Louisville recorded home-opening crowds of fewer than 6,000. Summit defender Kaleigh Kurtz acknowledged the growth, stating that her previous experience with crowds was much smaller.
Celebrity Attendance
Notable personalities were present to witness this historic moment, including 1999 World Cup champions Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain, as well as Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman. Additionally, minority investors such as Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin showed their support for the Summit.
The future looks promising for Denver Summit FC as they aim to build upon this incredible community support and bolster the growth of women’s soccer in the United States.
