Plans are in place to bring a world-class women’s soccer stadium to the heart of Denver.
The city’s National Women’s Soccer League club, which is set to begin play in 2026, plans to build a 14,500-seat stadium at Santa Fe Yards at Broadway and Interstate 25. The club’s formal announcement is set for Tuesday afternoon.
Designed by Populous, it will be the state’s first stadium and entertainment district built specifically for women’s professional sports, and one of the first of its kind in the country.
The stadium, which is slated to open in 2028, will be built on 14 acres of land the city plans to acquire in tandem with the club. The site is located in the northwest quadrant of an approximately 42-acre vacant property in the Baker neighborhood. It will be the metro’s fifth pro sports stadium, joining Coors Field (opened in 1995), Ball Arena (1999), Empower Field (2001) and Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (2007).
“Our whole vision is to create a destination place that’s 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Denver NWSL controlling owner and governor Rob Cohen told JS.
“… And part of the opportunity to do this stadium is to give the women’s professional athletes the same opportunities that men’s professional athletes have. So that means the opportunity to generate revenue in new and different ways so that you can invest (back into the club).”
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said the stadium will be “a transformational addition to southwest Denver.”
“We got a new franchise in our city, and we got it at the site of what has been a vacant lot for (about two decades) without any activity and that’s been waiting for redevelopment,” Johnston said. “It both catalyzes real investment in a Denver neighborhood, and it builds a new, incredible space for both sports and public events.
“We think this is the best of all possible worlds because now you have a major magnet of attraction to the heart of that neighborhood.”
In addition to the stadium, the site will incorporate Vanderbilt Park East into its design. The park was dedicated in 1956 but has been mostly dirt for a long time. From the park, fans will be able to see into the stadium to watch events. It will also feature an accompanying entertainment complex with plans for restaurants, bars, shops and potentially housing.
