Denver Summit set NWSL attendance record in inaugural home game - ESPN

DENVER — The National Women's Soccer League's newest team set the league's single-game attendance record in its inaugural home game on Saturday, when 63,004 fans showed up at Empower Field at Mile High on an unseasonably balmy March day to watch expansion team Denver Summit FC play the Washington Spirit.

The attendance smashed the old league record, which was set less than a year ago, by over 20,000 tickets.

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«The ownership group had high expectations for this community, but this community has exceeded every expectation that we had in terms of turnout and ticket sales for the game,» Denver Summit control owner Rob Cohen said ahead of the match.

«And it just proves that our city is deserving of this club and this is something that the community has wanted for a long time.»

Denver entered the league this year alongside Boston Legacy FC to bring the NWSL to 16 teams.

The Summit was only officially announced as the league's 16th franchise in January 2025.

«As a hometown girl, it's incredible,» Summit winger Janine Sonis, who grew up south of Denver, said on Friday.

«I'm not surprised; Denver shows up for their sports teams. I'm so grateful that the community is going to be out here supporting us.»

Saturday's match was played at Mile High, the home of the NFL's Denver Broncos, as a one-off event that the Summit branded as «The Kickoff.»

Denver is waiting for the completion of its temporary stadium south of the city, which will serve as the team's home until a permanent stadium is ready in 2028.

Washington, headlined by star American forward Trinity