“It would be so special — if they want me,” remarked USWNT skipper Lindsey Heaps earlier while commenting on Denver winning the rights to become the NWSL’s 16th expansion team. For someone born and raised in Golden, Colorado, the desire to play for a hometown club comes naturally. Although the $110 million franchise won’t enter the NWSL until at least 2026 — let alone sign a star player — the team continues to raise the bar. Their latest move marks a significant milestone in the league’s evolution, proving that setting new standards is already becoming their norm.

On Monday, the upcoming team announced that it has become the fastest club in the history of the National Women’s Soccer League to achieve 10,000 season-ticket deposits. No other side has ever been able to accomplish this kind of feat before, making them the pioneer in this regard. Given how much of a nascent stage they are in, it’s quite remarkable how they have managed to get such numbers.

Then again, we aren’t surprised, given how they achieved a similar feat within just three days of announcing the season ticket deposits. Well, a staggering 5,280 fans to be precise. This is a testament to the fact that even though the Denver NWSL franchise might still be in its early days, its future fanbase is already showing up in full force. Not to mention this is a team that has yet to have a name, roster, and official colors.

One can even compare it with another yet-to-be-launched NWSL club, none other than Boston. The 15th NWSL expansion club, which secured its franchise rights in 2023 for a $53 million fee, is also set to debut next year. Yet, no news like this has surfaced for them. So naturally, it’s just a matter of time before we witness Denver etch another key number in terms of the season ticket deposits. In fact, it had to be them, especially considering the plans in progress for their new home!

Denver unveils plans for a history-making stadium in NWSL!

Earlier, the upcoming NWSL side unveiled their plans to get a new stadium for themselves, which apparently is set to be the largest investment in a women’s professional team in history. In fact, it is also the second stadium that is specifically built for women’s soccer after Kansas City Current’s CPKC Stadium. They have secured a deal to start the construction at Santa Fe Yards, a site located at Broadway and I-25, right in the heart of the city.

Leading the construction plans for the venue is the architectural firm Populous. Talking about its key features, the NWSL side’s stadium is set to have a capacity of 14,500, giving scenic views of an adjacent public park and including space for retail outlets and restaurants, helping transform the area into a lively entertainment hub. Additionally, plans to create a community recreation center are also in mind.

Notably, the open-ended stadium design will offer views from the nearby park. It aims to create an inviting, community-centric atmosphere inspired by college stadiums across the country. This explains why they estimate all of these projects to be completed by spring 2028.

Surprisingly, the overall cost remains undisclosed, primarily because these plans are still pending final city approval. But the good thing is that the transportation access has already been addressed. Apparently, fans will be able to reach the venue via light rail and bus. However, there are limited on-site parking supplemented by nearby lots within a quarter-mile radius.

This was one of the concerns that club owner Whitney Engen Cohen is working on quite closely. Historically, the Santa Fe Yards area has served as a physical divide between neighborhoods, cut off by highways, rivers, and railways. Hence, Cohen hopes to bridge those gaps as they aim to boost connectivity.

Hearing all of this, there’s no doubt why fans have been making early-season ticket deposits!