Denver is Finally Getting a Professional Women’s Soccer Team
Professional women’s soccer is officially coming to the Mile High City next year, as Denver was awarded the 16th franchise in the NWSL, according to reports from Sportico and other sports news sites. Multiple people familiar with the matter have confirmed that Denver’s bid was formally accepted by the league, beating out tough competition from Cincinnati and Cleveland.
Backers of the 2026 team, led by IMA Financial Group chief executive officer Robert Cohen, submitted the first payment of the record-breaking $110 million fee on Tuesday. The $110 million fee is more than double the price of the previous amounts paid by Bay FC and Boston and would set a record as the largest expansion fee ever paid to establish a professional women’s sports team in U.S. history.
The broader investment group includes a coalition called For Denver FC, started by former NWSL player and Lakewood-born Jordan Angeli as well as former Obama administration official Ben Hubbard, among others. For Denver FC began a grassroots campaign 18 months ago, hosting watch parties for the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics to show the league that Denver is a soccer city.
It’s true. Colorado has a history of producing some of the best soccer talent in the country, including current USWNT players Lindsay Horan, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith.
“(They) grew up here and played in these club systems and got the competition that they needed to develop into really good players, and it’s not being tapped into,” Jordan Angeli says. “We just don’t have the path to pro, and that is one of the big reasons why we’re pushing for Colorado.”
But don’t just take it from Angeli; here is Lindsay Horan, the current captain of the USWNT.
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The Denver-based ownership group has expressed interest in building its own stadium but will begin playing in a temporary venue until a new stadium is built. The group has not said exactly where the new stadium would be located. The team would kick off in 2026 alongside fellow expansion franchise Boston who was awarded the 15th slot.
You can currently sign up for For Denver FC’s mailing list to receive updates, including when and where to buy season tickets.
Photo courtesy of For Denver FC
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