Minnesota Aurora withdraw NWSL expansion bid

Field Level Media|published: Fri 16th August, 12:32 2024

MLS: SOL of the Cities Success for Soccer Kickoff

Jun 29, 2024; St. Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Aurora mascot Rory poses for a photo during SOL of the Cities Success for Soccer Kickoff at Johnson Senior High School. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Aurora FC have withdrawn their bid to join the National Women's Soccer League as an expansion club.

The Eagan, Minn.-based club, which competes in the "pre-professional" USL W League, explained the decision in a letter sent to its more than 3,000 community owners on Thursday.

"The process is extremely complex, and while we had a strong investment group, circumstances out of our control kept us from pursuing the bid at this time," the statement said. "There remains strong interest by investors to support Minnesota Aurora going pro."

The NWSL is expanding to 15 teams in 2026 with the addition of a club in Boston.

The Aurora were founded in 2021 and regularly sell out their home games at the 6,000-seat TCO Stadium, the site of the Minnesota Vikings' headquarters and practice facility.

--Field Level Media