Denver City Council takes significant next step to build new NWSL stadium

The 13 members of the Denver City Council voted 11-1 to take the next step towards funding the women’s soccer-specific stadium planned for the city by the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) expansion team based in Colorado.

The Monday night vote approves an intergovernmental agreement supporting the country’s second women’s soccer-specific stadium. That 14,500-seat home is set to be at Santa Fe Yards, located off Broadway and I-25 on a long-vacant lot.

The yet-to-be-named team’s owners plan for them to start playing at the site in 2028, with a temporary home coming to Centennial for the start of the 2026 season, which will be the inaugural season.

The plan for the permanent home’s site covers 14 acres of land and will feature the stadium, a mixed-use development and a 3.5-acre recreational park.

Monday’s vote basically allows the city to own the land for the proposed stadium, giving the city control over the area designated for the stadium. The building itself will be owned by the team. Estimates for the project range from $400 to $500 million, with the city on the hook for up to about $70 million. Though part of the city’s portion of the money could come from a tax increment (TIF) financing. The city’s money would only be used on capital and infrastructural improvements surrounding the stadium.

City Council has not committed to the stadium or funding the site at this time, but the overwhelmingly positive vote on Monday is a big step in clearing the way for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s plan for the site to be executed.

The Denver Mayor’s Office says the stadium could generate a $1.4 to $2.2 billion economic impact on the city over 30 years, but some are worried about a low return on investment, and this was expressed during Monday’s meeting. City Council members are also concerned about the budget and will revisit their fiscal commitments to this project in the fall. Several members of the Council expressed excitement over the concept, but want to see more details before giving a final stamp.

Meanwhile, the city and state are pumped that women’s soccer is coming to town, with already a record of over 10,000 season ticket deposits placed.

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