“Very ambitious and aggressive” were the words NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman previously used to describe the league’s growth plans. And, unprecedentedly, there has been no looking back since, with new developments continuously unfolding. The latest involves the league’s 16th team, Denver. Having paid a record $110 million expansion fee, they are set to make the largest investment in a women’s professional team in history after officially unveiling their plans for their very own stadium.

The remarkable announcement was made on Tuesday by the Colorado-based women’s team. Apparently, they have reached an agreement to begin the construction of a stadium at Santa Fe Yards, located at Broadway and I-25 in the heart of the city. Designed by the architectural firm Populous, the stadium is set to become only the second purpose-built stadium for women’s soccer after Kansas City Current’s CPKC stadium. Besides that, Denver will also be carrying out the construction of a recreation center.

Both of these projects are set to be completed by the spring of 2028. “What I’m most excited about is the potential for a win-win-win between our needs and what we need for the team, what the city wants and helping them accomplish their goals, and also building an asset for the city at large and the communities around it that is really a venue that can be utilized 365 days a year,” said Denver NWSL CEO Rob Cohen while speaking with The Equalizer.

Notably, the stadium will boast a capacity of 14,500. It also features views of a public park, including space for shops and restaurants. In a nutshell, Denver will be transforming the whole area around the stadium into a vibrant entertainment district. Though all of these plans do sound ambitious, they are yet to receive a green light for the final city approval.

Moreover, the specifics of the ownership structure are still being finalized. “There is a public process that is a normal part of these kinds of projects,” Cohen said. “The way I look at it and the ownership group looks at it, should be a part of the process. We want to have open transparent dialogue with the neighborhood, with the city. We believe if you have those conversations, and everyone is transparent that you can come to a win-win-win.”

Interestingly, the upcoming stadium will be a key component of a larger development spanning 14 acres of land that has remained unused for decades. Hence, Denver NWSL aims to reshape the relationship between elite sports and community recreation through this project. 

Rob Cohen also noted that the stadium’s open end, as shown in the renderings, will provide visibility from the adjacent public park, making it more interactive for the community. This design will create a unique atmosphere, drawing inspiration from other venues nationwide, including collegiate stadiums that offer public views into games.

Rest assured, Denver will focus on making the venue more family-friendly. It will be achieved by keeping a design that prioritizes all the amenities tailored specifically for women and families. Additionally, the 16th NWSL team’s playground will also address a common gap in traditional stadium planning, which often centers around men.

More about Denver’s new NWSL stadium

While Cohen has touted it as the largest investment in women’s professional sports history, the exact cost hasn’t been disclosed yet. That’s also because of the fact that the stadium plans are yet to be finalized. On a brighter note though, it is confirmed that fans would be able to access Denver’s stadium via public transit. Light rails and buses are the primary means of transport that will mostly come in use.

While some on-site parking will be available, additional parking will be located within a quarter mile of the facility. Not to mention that the Santa Fe Yards site has long served as a barrier between different areas of Denver due to highways, rivers, and railroad tracks. Therefore, Cohen aims to bridge these divides through this project.

The project will achieve this by improving connectivity between surrounding neighborhoods and enhancing access for residents, all while preserving the city’s vibrant character. “We want to do something that’s authentically Denver. So that’s taking advantage of the weather, being outside, etc, views of the mountains,” concluded Rob Cohen.

Given that Denver’s historic stadium will be completed a couple of years after their NWSL debut in 2026, they will be announcing a temporary stadium and training facility later this month. In the meantime, let’s see what more there is in the final plans.