Recently, the National Womens Soccer League (NWSL) has seen a large increase in game attendance. It started with playing high-profile match ups in larger stadiums and has become more consistent support throughout home games. The NWSL’s expansion teams are also at the forefront of the larger home crowds. Two of the highest attended NWSL matches in league history were the home openers for the Denver Summit and Boston Legacy, the NWSL’s 2026 expansion teams.
Throughout each season, the league releases the attendance metrics for each team. This season, the teams with the highest average attendance are the Denver Summit, Portland Thorns, Angel City FC, Washington Spirit, and San Diego Wave.
1. Denver Summit vs. Washington Spirit (March 28)
(image via NWSL)On March 28, the home crowd shattered NWSL attendance records during Denver Summit FC’s first home opener in franchise history. Denver was one of the NWSL’s two 2026 expansion teams. The Summit took on the Washington Spirit at Empower Field at Mile High, which is home to the NFL’s Denver Broncos. There was a total of 63,004 people in the crowd, which set a precedent for future expansion teams and their home crowds.
While the Denver crowd filled out an NFL stadium, the Summit will play the rest of their home games through the 2026 and 2027 seasons at the Centennial Center. However, the team is set to open its permanent home stadium in 2028. Denver’s new home will be just the second NWSL-specific stadium.
2. Gotham FC vs. Washington Spirit (July 15)
(Image via Sarah Yenesel/EPA)Earlier this month, a competitive game between Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit garnered the second-highest attendance in NWSL history. Over 42,000 people attended the match up between the current top-2 teams in the league standings. The mid-July match up was star forward Sam Kerr’s first game back in the NWSL after spending the last six-and-a-half years with Chelsea FC. It also set the record for the most attended women’s sporting event in New York City’s history.
The Queens Classic took place at Citi Field, which is home to the MLB’s New York Mets. In recent seasons, the NWSL has had success with playing high-profile matches in MLB stadiums. Despite this, Gotham currently plays their home games at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in New Jersey and plans to move to Etihad Park in 2028.
3. Boston Legacy vs. Gotham FC (March 14)
(image via Maddie Meyer/NWSL via Getty Images)On March 14, the Boston Legacy set the NWSL home opener attendance record with over 30,000 attendees. This record was broken just two weeks later by the Denver Summit with their first home game. Both Boston and Denver are playing in their inaugural seasons as the NWSL’s 2026 expansion teams, and their home crowds have come out to support them.
Similar to the Summit, the Legacy played their first home game at an NFL stadium. Boston took on the reigning NWSL Champion Gotham FC at Gillette Stadium, which is home to the NFL’s New England Patriots. While Gillette Stadium will serve as the primary home for the Legacy for this season, the Legacy will also play some home games at the Centreville Bank Stadium in Rhode Island. The team is set to permanently move to the brand new White Stadium in 2027.
Featured image via @sandiegowavefc/X
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