Denver Summit FC Sets New NWSL Attendance Record

Inaugural home game at Empower Field draws over 63,000 fans, surpassing previous league high.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:20am

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The inaugural home game for Denver Summit FC at Empower Field at Mile High drew a record-breaking crowd of 63,004 spectators, marking the highest attendance for a single league game in NWSL history. This milestone significantly surpasses the previous record of 40,091 set in August when Bay FC hosted Washington Spirit at Oracle Park.

Why it matters

The surge in attendance for the Denver Summit game underscores a broader trend of increasing fan engagement within the NWSL. The league's expansion to 18 teams, with the addition of Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC, has clearly tapped into new markets and generated considerable excitement around the sport.

The details

The Denver Summit vs. Washington Spirit match ended in a 0-0 draw, but the focus remained on the historic attendance figure. German forward Melissa Kössler, who recently joined Denver Summit from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, featured in the game.

  • Denver Summit FC played its inaugural home game on March 29, 2026.
  • The previous NWSL attendance record of 40,091 was set in August.

The players

Denver Summit FC

A new NWSL expansion team that played its inaugural home game at Empower Field at Mile High.

Washington Spirit

The visiting team that faced off against Denver Summit FC in the record-breaking match.

Trinity Rodman

A forward for the Washington Spirit who recently became the youngest player in NWSL history to reach 100 regular-season appearances.

Melissa Kössler

A German forward who recently joined Denver Summit FC from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

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What’s next

The NWSL will look to capitalize on the momentum generated by the record-breaking attendance in Denver and continue to drive growth and fan engagement across the league.

The takeaway

The success of the Denver Summit FC home opener demonstrates the NWSL's ability to attract large, passionate crowds and the league's potential for continued expansion and growth. As the NWSL looks to build on this milestone, sustaining high attendance numbers and fostering a strong connection with local communities will be crucial to the league's long-term success.