Utah Royals FC Overview
The Utah Royals FC are an American professional women’s soccer team based in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The club was established on November 16, 2017, as an expansion team and plays its home matches at America First Field in Sandy, Utah. Following a three-year absence, the Utah Royals FC returned to competition in the 2024 NWSL season under new ownership. The team’s colors are Claret Red, Cobalt Blue, and Victory Gold, and the badge features a stylized gold lioness head surrounded by two balls that reference the parent organization’s Major League Soccer and United Soccer League clubs. The Utah Royals FC are owned by Miller Sports + Entertainment, led by Gail Miller as majority owner, with David Blitzer as a minority owner.
Head coach Jimmy Coenraets leads the technical staff, while John Kimball serves as interim president. America First Credit Union is the main sponsor and front-of-jersey partner. The Utah Royals FC share America First Field with Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake, continuing a longstanding partnership between the men’s and women’s organizations in Utah’s soccer ecosystem.
Utah Royals FC Competitive Journey
The Utah Royals FC have experienced a distinctive competitive journey defined by a rapid rise, an unexpected three-year hiatus, and a determined reentry into the NWSL. The original club joined the league in 2018, competed through 2020, and was dissolved before being reestablished in 2023 for a return in 2024. The modern iteration has focused on rebuilding competitive foundations and aligning with a long-term vision for women’s soccer in Utah.
Founding and Organizational Origins
On November 16, 2017, Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer announced that it had acquired a National Women’s Soccer League franchise. Four days later, the league confirmed that FC Kansas City would fold and that its player contracts, draft picks, and other rights would be transferred to the new Salt Lake City club. The decision to bring an NWSL team to Utah was based on the established interest in soccer across the state and on the longtime ambitions of Real Salt Lake’s then-owner, Dell Loy Hansen. Utah’s six NCAA Division I women’s soccer programs outnumbered the men’s, and a seventh women’s program later moved from Division II to Division I, reinforcing the deep talent pool in the region.
On November 27, 2017, the new club hired former Seattle Reign FC coach Laura Harvey as its inaugural head coach. The team was officially launched on December 1, 2017, with announcements covering the name, branding, season tickets, and social media channels. The badge features a gold lioness head and the Claret Red, Cobalt Blue, and Victory Gold palette that would become central to the club’s identity.
Growth Into National Women’s Soccer League Competition
The Utah Royals FC entered the NWSL as an expansion team, with the league’s infrastructure and the operational backbone of Real Salt Lake providing a foundation for quick growth. The early technical staff and coaching hires were designed to deliver immediate competitiveness, and the club attracted significant fan interest even before its first match. Sponsorship momentum followed, beginning with a three-year multimillion-dollar deal with Conservice announced in February 2018, followed by a multi-year partnership with Young Living Essential Oils that included a video series profiling players’ lives.
The Utah Royals FC developed an early broadcast presence through local partnerships with KMYU, KSL, and KALL ESPN 700, extending existing agreements between those outlets and Real Salt Lake. The club’s integration with the broader Utah Soccer LLC organization allowed it to share resources, marketing channels, and operational support with Real Salt Lake and Real Monarchs, accelerating the team’s launch and early-season readiness.
Early Seasons and Development (2018-2019)
The Utah Royals FC opened their inaugural season on March 24, 2018, against the Orlando Pride in Orlando, where Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir scored the first goal in franchise history in the third minute. The home opener against the Chicago Red Stars drew an official attendance of 19,023, with 18,500 tickets sold in advance, signaling strong early demand. The team played its matches at Rio Tinto Stadium, the soccer-specific venue shared with Real Salt Lake, which opened on October 9, 2008, seats 20,213 for soccer, and features a Kentucky Bluegrass pitch measuring 120 by 75 yards.
Throughout 2018, the Utah Royals FC cultivated a regional identity while pursuing competitive consistency. The 2019 season introduced the Young Living partnership and its ‘Rise up to Royalty’ video series, deepening the club’s connection with fans and sponsors. By the end of the 2019 campaign, the Utah Royals FC had established itself as a credible NWSL presence, supported by a strong attendance base and a stable coaching structure.
Dissolution and Reestablishment (2020-2023)
In August 2020, Dell Loy Hansen announced plans to sell Utah Soccer LLC, the parent company of the Royals, Real Salt Lake, and Real Monarchs, following allegations of racist and sexist behavior. The Utah Royals FC were officially dissolved on December 7, 2020, with the NWSL player contracts and franchise rights sold to Chris and Angie Long and Brittany Mahomes, who founded a new club later named the Kansas City Current. The sale included a provision allowing any future purchaser of Real Salt Lake to launch an expansion team using the Utah Royals FC identity no sooner than the 2023 NWSL season.
On March 11, 2023, Ryan Smith and David Blitzer, who had jointly purchased Real Salt Lake, announced they would exercise the option to launch a new NWSL team alongside investment from 42 Futbol Group, composed of Jessica Gelman, Daryl Morey, and Amy Reinhard. The agreement allowed the Utah Royals FC to enter the league at a considerably lower expansion fee of $2 to $5 million. Michelle Hyncik was named club president and hired former Utah Royals FC and United States women’s national team forward Amy Rodriguez, then an assistant coach at USC, as the team’s inaugural head coach. On April 18, 2025, Miller Sports + Entertainment, led by former Utah Jazz owner Gail Miller, acquired controlling interest in the franchise as part of a $600 million deal that included Real Salt Lake, with Blitzer remaining as a minority owner.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2024-Present)
The Utah Royals FC returned to NWSL play in 2024, beginning a new era focused on long-term roster development, organizational stability, and reconnection with the Utah fan base. Jimmy Coenraets now leads the team as head coach, with John Kimball serving as interim president. The club plays at America First Field, the venue formerly known as Rio Tinto Stadium before its September 2022 renaming. The 2025 season saw the team finish 12th of 14 in the regular season and miss the playoffs.
The current ownership structure combines the experience of Miller Sports + Entertainment with the global sports investment perspective of David Blitzer. America First Credit Union was announced as the front-of-jersey sponsor upon the club’s return, a decision that drew public discussion but was reaffirmed by both the club and the credit union. The Utah Royals FC continue to share operational resources with Real Salt Lake, supporting infrastructure, scouting, and marketing alignment.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
The Utah Royals FC emphasize roster continuity, regional talent development, and organizational alignment with Real Salt Lake. The club’s identity is rooted in the lioness crest and the Claret Red, Cobalt Blue, and Victory Gold color scheme, which link the women’s team visually and culturally to the broader Utah soccer family.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Key milestones include the franchise’s first goal by Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir on March 24, 2018, the inaugural home match that drew 19,023 fans, the official dissolution in December 2020, the 2023 reestablishment announcement, and the April 2025 acquisition of controlling interest by Miller Sports + Entertainment. The 2024 return to NWSL competition marked the start of the club’s second chapter in the league.
Utah Royals FC Achievements and Results
The Utah Royals FC have built a competitive foundation in two distinct eras of NWSL play. The original 2018-2020 era established the club’s identity, attendance strength, and connection to Utah’s broader soccer community. The 2024-present era has focused on rebuilding competitive consistency under new leadership and ownership.
NWSL Achievements
The Utah Royals FC have competed in the National Women’s Soccer League since 2018, pausing operations from 2021 through 2023 before returning in 2024. The club has prioritized player development and a stable coaching environment. In 2025, the team finished 12th of 14 in the NWSL regular season and did not qualify for the playoffs.
