Denver to join NWSL as 16th franchise in 2026

Field Level Media|published: Thu 30th January, 11:42 2025

Sep 30, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A general view of the game ball before the game between Washington Spirit and Kansas City Current at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The National Women's Soccer League officially announced on Thursday that Denver will join the league as its 16th team in 2026.

"As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, we knew it was critical to launch our 16th team in a city with a passionate sports culture and vibrant fan base -- and Denver is the perfect match," NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said.

"The club's plans for a purpose-built stadium and state-of-the-art training facility demonstrate a commitment to providing world-class environments for our players and fans alike."

Denver's ownership group, led by IMA Financial chairman and CEO Rob Cohen, reportedly paid a league-record $110 million franchise fee. Other investors include Project Level, a group led by Mellody Hobson and former Washington Commanders president Jason Wright, and FirstTracks Sports Ventures LLC.

Cohen will be the team's controlling owner and Hobson will serve as alternate governor.

"Being around the sports world, I heard about the grassroots effort around bringing a soccer team to Denver," Cohen told ESPN. "I met with that group and the more I started to learn about what they were thinking, what their vision was, set me on a journey to start learning about the league, what they were doing, to the point where ultimately wanted to lead the bid and hopefully bring a team to Denver, which we're now doing."

Denver emerged from a finalists group that also included bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati.

The NWSL's 15th franchise was awarded in 2023 to Boston, which will also begin play in 2026. Boston paid a $53 million expansion fee, matching the amount paid by Bay FC, which completed its inaugural season in 2024.

The NWSL kicked off with eight teams in 2013, following the collapse of the Women's United Soccer Association (2001-03) and Women's Professional Soccer (2009-11). The circuit currently features teams in (or near) New York; Chicago; Seattle; Washington; Houston; Orlando; Louisville; Los Angeles; San Diego; San Jose; Salt Lake City; Kansas City, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; and Cary, N.C.

--Field Level Media

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