Denver Summit FC’s New Soccer Stadium

Denver Summit FC recently closed on property at Santa Fe Yards.[1] Denver Summit stated that they acquired this land for a future soccer stadium.[2] This is an essential step in promoting women’s soccer.[3] Rob Cohen, Denver Summit’s controlling owner stated, “’This is a defining moment for Denver Summit FC and for the future of women’s professional sports in our city.’”[4] In spring of 2028, the stadium is expected to open.[5]

Last Saturday, the National Women’s Soccer League (“NWSL”) set a new attendance record for the second time.[6] Denver Summit hosted 63,004 fans at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium.[7] In 2022, the NWSL had the top ten highest single-game attendance records.[8] Jessica Berman, the NWSL Commissioner said, ‘”Breaking our own record again, and doing it in such a short window, shows that this is not a moment, it’s sustained momentum.’”[9]

Furthermore, Matildas captain Sam Kerr will leave Chelsea at the end of the Women’s Super League season.[10] She will return to the United States and join Denver Summit.[11] Kerr played a reduced role at Chelsea due to an ACL injury.[12] Kerr scored 110 goals in 153 matches, since joining Chelsea in 2019.[13]

Women’s soccer has been in the news a lot lately, which is great for women’s sports. For example, my last post discussed how the FIFA Council approved legislation requiring women’s teams in FIFA tournaments to have a woman head coach or an assistant coach.[14] See also https://ublawsportsforum.com/2026/03/29/fifa-mandates-more-women-coaches-in-tournaments/. It will be exciting to see the opening of the new Denver Summit stadium, especially with Kerr joining the franchise. I am expecting a new attendance record in 2028 when the stadium opens.

[1] Alexander Kirk, Denver Summit FC closes on Santa Fe Yards property, 9 News (Mar. 27, 2026) https://www.9news.com/article/sports/soccer/denver-summit-fc-santa-fe-yards-property-stadium/73-e0148328-0ccf-40ed-9d49-c13643f2d388.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Id.

[5] Id.

[6] Megan Swanick, How Denver Summit smashed the NWSL attendance record in their first home game, The Guardian (Apr. 2, 2026) https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/02/denver-summit-nwsl-attendance-record-washington-spirit-moving-goalposts.

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Id.

[10] Guardian sport with agencies, Sam Kerr set for Chelsea exit after reportedly signing with US club Denver Summit, The Guardian (Apr. 2, 2026) https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/apr/03/matildas-captain-sam-kerr-chelsea-exit-denver-summit.

[11] Id.

[12] Id.

[13] Id.

[14] Tom Hamilton, FIFA mandates woman coach or assistant for women’s competitions, ESPN (Mar. 19, 2026) https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48247770/fifa-mandate-female-coach-assistant-women-comps.

Featured Image: Alex Labidou, ‘Best-in-class experience’ – NWSL expansion teams Denver Summit and Boston Legacy FC to play opening matches in NFL stadiums, Goal.com (Nov. 3, 2025) https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/best-in-class-experience-nwsl-expansion-teams-denver-summit-and-boston-legacy-fc-to-play-opening-home-matches-in-nfl-stadiums/blta0b644030a19fa1d.