NWSL to Award 18th Franchise for 2028 Season

League continues expansion with new team in two years

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced it will award its 18th franchise this year, with the new team expected to begin play in 2028. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said the league is moving to a "rolling process" for expansion, allowing more time for new ownership groups to get ready.

Why it matters

The NWSL's continued expansion demonstrates the growing popularity and demand for professional women's soccer in the United States. Adding an 18th team will further solidify the league's status as a truly national competition and provide more opportunities for elite female players.

The details

The NWSL currently has 16 teams, with two new franchises - the Boston Legacy and Denver Summit - joining this season. The league also awarded an expansion team to Atlanta in 2026, owned by Falcons owner Arthur Blank, that will begin play in 2028. The expansion fee for the Atlanta team was a record $165 million. Berman said the league is in talks with "a dozen or so" prospective ownership groups for future expansion.

  • The NWSL will award its 18th franchise in 2026.
  • The new 18th franchise team is expected to begin play in 2028.

The players

Jessica Berman

Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League.

Arthur Blank

Owner of the Atlanta Falcons, who was awarded the NWSL's 17th franchise in 2026.

Haslam family

Majority owners of the NFL's Cleveland Browns and the Columbus Crew in MLS, who have expressed interest in pursuing an NWSL club based in Columbus.

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What they’re saying

“Now we will be 16 clubs across this country, firmly establishing the NWSL as a truly national league with incredible demand and interest for professional women's soccer. And in 2028, synonymous with what will be our next media rights deal, we will be 18 teams.”

— Jessica Berman, NWSL Commissioner (wbal.com)

“I think we have been intentional about extending the ramp up period for all of our expansion teams as we move forward. It's the reason we're working on Team 18 in 2026 and hope to give them a very long runway.”

— Jessica Berman, NWSL Commissioner (wbal.com)

What’s next

The NWSL will award its 18th franchise in 2026, with the new team expected to begin play in 2028.

The takeaway

The NWSL's continued expansion demonstrates the growing popularity of women's soccer in the United States. By taking a measured approach and allowing new ownership groups ample time to prepare, the league is positioning itself for long-term success and solidifying its status as a premier professional sports league.