Images: Denver NWSL
National Women’s Soccer League expansion franchise Denver NWSL has unveiled plans for a purpose-built stadium and recreational district which it claims represents the largest overall investment in a women’s professional sports team in history.
The NWSL awarded its 16th franchise to Denver back in January, with plans being finalised at that time for a new stadium. The award, for a reported record expansion fee of $110m (£84.8m/€100.9m), is set to see the Denver NWSL team begin play in the 2026 season, with the club to launch at a temporary home ahead of the expected delivery of the new stadium in the spring of 2028.
Located at a Sante Fe Yards site in the heart of the city that has been vacant for around two decades, the 14,500-seat stadium will be part of Colorado’s first purpose-built sports and entertainment district built for professional women’s sports.
Populous has been chosen to lead the stadium design and related design and engineering consultants. CAA ICON has been providing stadium advisory services for the new stadium deal and is now extending its engagement to provide full project management services, supporting the development, design, and construction alongside Populous.
Denver NWSL controlling owner, Rob Cohen, said: “This will be the largest overall investment in a women’s professional sports team in history.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leverage this massive private investment to revitalise and transform Santa Fe Yards into a new hub of thriving community activity, a place for outdoor recreation, restaurants, retail, and for building connections with our community.
“This project will reconnect neighbourhoods, create new jobs, and boost the local economy during and after the construction process, unlocking year-round economic, social, and cultural benefits that extend far beyond the stadium’s walls.
“Most importantly, it will provide our club, our fans, our partners, and our community with a state-of-the-art stadium that will provide us a distinct home-field advantage and will serve as the most inclusive environment in all of Colorado.”
The 14-acre redevelopment at Santa Fe Yards will feature the stadium, a 3.5-acre recreational park, and future mixed-use development in the heart of Denver. The stadium will be constructed with the ability to expand in the future to host larger crowds and marquee events. The district will feature pedestrian and bike connections, along with being in close proximity to public transportation.
The Denver NWSL ownership group will pay for the stadium, with the city set to contribute towards the funding of the wider infrastructure being planned. Mayor Mike Johnston said: “This project at Santa Fe Yards will transform an underutilised eyesore into a recreational and economic hub where memories are made, culture is built, and championships are won.”
The unveiling of Denver NWSL’s plans comes a year after Kansas City Current opened CPKC Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 11,500 as the first stadium purpose-built for a professional women’s sports team, later detailing plans for a wide-ranging mixed-use district around the venue.
Commenting on the Denver project, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said: “This announcement is a game-changer for the NWSL and a bold statement about where women’s sports are headed.
“Santa Fe Yards will set a new standard for what professional athletes deserve — a purpose-built stadium and entertainment district that reflects the passion of this city and our league’s continued growth.
“Denver is helping to shape the future of women’s soccer, and we can’t wait to see the impact this world-class venue will have on players, fans, and the community.”
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