The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) reached a historic milestone on Saturday as the league's newest expansion team, Denver Summit FC, set a new single-game attendance record during their inaugural home match. An astounding 63,004 fans filled Empower Field at Mile High in Denver to watch the Summit face off against the Washington Spirit. This attendance figure not only shattered the previous NWSL record by more than 20,000 spectators but also established a new benchmark for standalone women's soccer games in the United States.
Denver Summit FC, one of two teams that joined the league this year alongside Boston Legacy FC, officially became the NWSL's 16th franchise in January 2025. The team's debut home game, branded as "The Kickoff," was played at Mile High Stadium, the well-known home of the NFL's Denver Broncos. This event marked a significant moment for the city's sports community, showcasing the region's enthusiasm and support for women's soccer. The Summit are currently awaiting the completion of a temporary stadium located south of Denver, which will serve as their home venue until a permanent stadium is expected to open in 2028.
The day's record-breaking crowd demonstrated the high level of excitement surrounding the new franchise. Rob Cohen, the controlling owner of Denver Summit FC, expressed his amazement at the turnout in the lead-up to the game. "The ownership group had high expectations for this community, but this community has exceeded every expectation that we had in terms of turnout and ticket sales for the game," Cohen said. "It just proves that our city is deserving of this club and this is something that the community has wanted for a long time."
Despite the electric atmosphere created by the massive crowd, the game itself ended in a scoreless 0-0 draw. While fans were unable to celebrate a goal, the energy in the stadium underscored the growing popularity and support for women's professional soccer in Denver and across the nation.
Several players and figures associated with the team and the league reflected on the significance of the moment. Janine Sonis, a winger for the Summit who grew up just south of Denver, described the community's passion for sports as a driving force behind the record attendance. "As a hometown girl, it's incredible," Sonis said. "I'm not surprised; Denver shows up for their sports teams. I'm so grateful that the community is going to be out here supporting us."
The opposing team, Washington Spirit, was led by star American forward Trinity Rodman, who has witnessed the growth of the league firsthand. Rodman, who debuted during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, noted the dramatic rise in attendance at women's soccer games over recent years. "I still talk about how my rookie year, obviously it being COVID didn't help, going from a couple thousand [fans] to selling out Audi Field," Rodman told ESPN.
"I think it's really rewarding and really cool just to see how much it's grown the last five years, never mind 10. So, it's really cool for me to see and for the people who have been in the league less, I think it's cool to almost step into this when it's already so big and we have these opportunities. To me, it's just really exciting.
I don't really get nervous anymore."
The new attendance record marks the fourth consecutive year that the NWSL has broken its single-game attendance high. In recent seasons, these record-setting games have typically been held in venues outside of the teams' regular home stadiums, often in major league baseball parks. For example, the Chicago Red Stars set the record in 2024 with a crowd of 35,038 at Wrigley Field, home of the MLB's Chicago Cubs. The following year, Bay FC surpassed that figure with 40,091 attendees at Oracle Park, the San Francisco Giants' stadium.
Despite the growth in marquee events, the league's average attendance saw a slight dip last year, settling at around 10,669 fans per game. Attendance figures still vary widely across the league's 16 teams, with some home openers drawing fewer than 6,000 fans, as seen recently in Chicago and Louisville.
Summit defender Kaleigh Kurtz reflected on the stark contrast between the usual crowd sizes she has experienced and the enormous turnout expected for Denver's first home game. "I think the most I've ever had behind me, my own team, is about 7,000-10,000, so that's a big jump," Kurtz said ahead of the match.
The event attracted notable figures from the world of sports and entertainment. Among those in attendance were 1999 Women's World Cup champions Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain, as well as Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman. Additionally, the Summit's ownership group includes minority investors Peyton Manning, the Hall of Fame NFL quarterback, and Mikaela Shiffrin, an Olympic gold medal-winning skier, further highlighting the strong backing and high-profile support for the team.
The record-setting attendance at Denver Summit FC's home opener signals a promising future for the NWSL as it continues to expand its footprint and cultivate a passionate fan base. The league's ongoing growth reflects increasing interest in women's professional soccer in the United States, driven by enthusiastic communities, rising stars, and strategic investments in new franchises and venues. With Denver's passionate fan support and the team's commitment to establishing a strong local presence, the Summit are poised to become a significant force in the league and a source of pride for their city.