Denver Summit shatters NWSL crowd record with 63,004 fans at Mile High

Denver was awarded the 16th NWSL franchise in January 2025 for a reported expansion fee of $110 million.

Delanie Sheehan of Denver Summit FC signs autographs in the stands outside

Delanie Sheehan of Denver Summit FC signs autographs after the NWSL match between Denver Summit FC and Washington Spirit at Empower Field At Mile High, in Denver, Colo., on Saturday.Justin Edmonds / NWSL via Getty Images

March 29, 2026, 11:59 AM EDT / Source: The Associated Press

By The Associated Press

The expansion Denver Summit’s scoreless draw Saturday against the Washington Spirit broke the National Women’s Soccer League record for attendance with its announced crowd of 63,004.

Fans at the Denver Broncos’ home stadium broke the previous NWSL record of 40,091 who attended Bay FC’s match against the Spirit last season at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.

The LED board shows the Record of attendance message above the stands outside — The LED board shows the Record of attendance message during the NWSL match between Denver Summit FC and Washington Spirit at Empower Field At Mile High, in Denver, on Saturday.Dustin Bradford / NWSL via Getty Images

In 2024, the Chicago Stars drew 35,038 to a game against Bay FC that was played at Wrigley Field, home to the Cubs.

“This is a big deal, and it’s very important,” fan Karmryn Eversole said. “And I think it’s a huge milestone for women’s sports to prove that we want more women’s courts. And this is what we want, and we’re here supporting it, and we want to show it.”

The match was the Summit’s first at home in Colorado. The team played its first three on the road, going 1-1-1. The game against the Spirit on Saturday ended in a scoreless draw.

Denver was awarded the 16th NWSL franchise in January 2025 for a reported expansion fee of $110 million. The Summit started play this season along with the Boston Legacy.

Soccer players on the soccer field — Olivia Thomas of Denver Summit FC controls the ball away from Washington Spirit defenders during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High, in Commerce, Colo., on Saturday.Justin Edmonds / NWSL via Getty Images

“I mean, I think it means everything,” fan Nicole DeLue said. “If you look at the amount of Denver women’s players that have gone to the World Cup, made the national team. We’ve always been a strong feeder. So to finally have a home base here is just incredible.”

After the opener at Mile High, the Summit will play home games at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, home of the Colorado Rapids in MLS. In July, the team will move to the temporary 12,000-seat Centennial Stadium while a women’s soccer stadium is built in downtown Denver.

The Summit announced earlier this week they had closed on land at Santa Fe Yards for the future stadium, which the club hopes will be complete by the 2028 season.