Denver Summit FC set a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) single-game attendance record by selling over 45,000 tickets for their inaugural home match on March 28, 2026, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. This milestone marks a significant moment for women’s soccer in Colorado and showcases the strong local support for the new franchise.
Record-Breaking Attendance for Opening Match
The opening home game, scheduled for noon on Saturday, March 28, will be nationally televised on CBS and will take place at Empower Field at Mile High. The club revealed that the ticket sales have surpassed 45,000, breaking the previous NWSL attendance record of 40,091, which was set by Bay FC in San Francisco in August 2025. In response to the high demand, the club announced they would open the 500 level of the stadium with tickets starting at $20.
Denver Summit FC President Jen Millet commented on the event’s significance:
“The Kickoff is going to be a defining moment for sports in Colorado,”
she said.
“The Denver community continues to show why Denver is a soccer city. We want everyone across the Front Range to join us as we make history.”
Season Ticket Demand and Club 5280 Program
Ahead of the season launch, Denver Summit FC announced selling out 8,500 season tickets for 2026. Earlier in the year, the club had gathered over 15,000 season ticket deposits, resulting in a waitlist and club membership program called Club 5280 for the 6,500 fans who were not able to secure season tickets.
Fans on the waitlist can apply their deposits toward future season tickets, single-game passes, or request a refund and removal from the list, providing flexibility as the club builds its fan base.
Training Facilities and Temporary Stadium in Centennial
Denver Summit FC has partnered with CommonSpirit Health to establish the CommonSpirit Performance Center, a 20,000-square-foot training facility currently being built in Centennial. This center will serve as the team’s training base and will include eight soccer fields, advanced recovery technology, private player amenities, a family dining area, and integrated sports science and medicine resources.
The training center is part of a much larger 43-acre campus that includes a 12,000-seat temporary stadium. This stadium will host Denver Summit FC’s summer and fall home games in 2026 and continue to be the venue during the 2027 season, providing a high-quality environment while the club’s permanent stadium is under development.
Development of a New Dedicated Soccer Stadium
Plans for Denver’s permanent NWSL stadium were announced in March, featuring a 14,500-seat venue on a 14-acre site near Interstate 25 and Santa Fe Drive, south of downtown Denver. Named Santa Fe Yards, this stadium and recreational district is being designed with the architecture firm Populous and aims to open in spring 2028.
The site is envisioned as a transit-oriented development that will serve as both a sports hub and a community recreational district, elevating professional women’s soccer in Denver and contributing to the city’s urban revitalization.
Diverse Ownership Group Supporting the Franchise
Denver Summit FC’s ownership roster includes prominent sports figures and investors such as Peyton Manning and Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin. Additional partners include Rob Cohen, Mellody Hobson of Ariel Investments, siblings Jon-Erik Borgen, Kaia Borgen Moritz, and Randi Borgen from FirstTracks Sports Ventures, as well as investors Neelima Joshi, Dhiren Jhaveri, Molly Coors, Brooke Woody, the Soin Family led by Vishal Soin, Cordillera Investment Partners, and Denver FC Capital Partners.
Peyton Manning expressed his enthusiasm about his involvement:
“It’s a real honor to be part of something so meaningful to the Colorado community,”
he said.
“I’m proud to support the growth of women’s sports and excited to help build a club that our city and our state can rally behind.”
Early Season Schedule and Venues
Denver Summit FC begins its inaugural season with a road match in San Francisco on March 14. Early home matches will be hosted at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, including a notable game against San Diego Wave FC on April 25. The team will transition to the Centennial temporary stadium for the summer and fall 2026 games, reflecting the club’s growth and phased development of facilities.
Significance and Outlook for Denver Soccer
Denver Summit FC’s record-breaking attendance and robust community engagement highlight the growing enthusiasm for women’s professional soccer in Colorado. With a strong ownership group, dedicated training and game facilities, and plans for a new stadium, the club represents a major investment in the sport’s future locally. The successful debut is expected to build momentum, attracting more fans and sponsors as the team establishes itself in the NWSL.
This landmark opening sets a high bar for attendance and community support, positioning Denver as an emerging soccer city and inspiring increased visibility for women’s sports nationwide.
45,000 and counting 🔥
To celebrate – we are officially opening 500 Level seats at Empower Field at Mile High starting at just $20!
🎟️ https://t.co/FBsz4iUcmG pic.twitter.com/Ke3WvkXuUk
— Denver Summit FC (@denversummitfc) February 18, 2026
