Professional women’s soccer will be coming to Denver, Colorado in 2026 as the National Women’s Soccer League awarded the city the league’s 16th franchise for a record $110 million expansion fee. The team ownership group will be led by IMA Financial Group chairman Rob Cohen, Ariel Investments Mellody Hobson, and former Washington Commanders president Jason Wright, among others. Cohen will serve as the controlling owner and governor of the team.
The team has not yet announced where they will play their home games, but they are looking for a central location with access to mass transit and plan to announce temporary and permanent venues in the coming weeks. Cohen expressed his desire to build a state-of-the-art facility specifically for women’s play. Denver was chosen over Cleveland and Cincinnati for the franchise.
Denver has a strong history with women’s soccer, with notable players like Lindsey Horan, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith hailing from the state. Cohen believes that bringing the NWSL to Denver will be impactful and transformative for the city, and he aims to work closely with the diverse communities in the region to build a club that operates with integrity and excellence from day one.
The latest sale of the NWSL franchise in Denver is seen as a positive sign of the health and growth of professional women’s soccer, as the expansion fee paid by Denver exceeds the amount paid by Boston team owners just 16 months ago.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.