Denver Summit Stadium…

The new permanent stadium for Denver Summit FC will not be completed in time for the start of the 2028 NWSL season as initially expected.

A spokesperson from the team confirmed to ESPN that construction timelines are being finalized, with hopes to host some home games in 2028 at the new site in Santa Fe Yards, located just south of downtown Denver.

Originally, the 2026 NWSL expansion team intended for the stadium to be ready by the start of the 2028 season. However, delays in land acquisition have pushed this timeline to at least later that year.

This news was first reported by the Denver Business Journal.

Denver Summit FC is set to construct a 14,500-seat stadium on a long-vacant plot of land in Santa Fe Yards, which will also allow for future expansion for larger events.

This will be only the second stadium in the league designed specifically for an NWSL team. The Kansas City Current opened their own 11,500-seat stadium in 2024 and have sold out every match, recently announcing plans to expand to 18,000 seats.

In the meantime, the Summit will host home games at Centennial Stadium in Centennial, Colorado, approximately 15 miles south of Denver. The new 12,000-seat temporary stadium had its opening match in front of a sold-out crowd, where Denver triumphed over the Portland Thorns with a score of 2-1.

Summit FC will utilize Centennial Stadium until the completion of its permanent facility, after which Centennial Stadium will be downsized and turned over to the local school district. This stadium is adjacent to the NWSL team’s newly built training facility.

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

Boston faced notable difficulties securing a long-term stadium, splitting their time this season between Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and a new soccer stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

The anticipated long-term venue for Boston, White Stadium, is projected to open sometime next year, albeit roughly a year behind schedule.

Earlier this year, Denver set an NWSL attendance record during its first home match, attracting 63,004 fans to Mile High Stadium, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

This season, Denver played four matches at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park, home to MLS’s Colorado Rapids, exceeding the original plan due to delays at Centennial Stadium.

“When planning for infrastructure, it’s crucial to have an alternative, interim solution that meets league standards,” remarked NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman to ESPN in March. “Building dedicated infrastructure, like a stadium, can be complex. The Boston Legacy has effectively navigated numerous challenges.”

Summit FC president Jen Millet mentioned to ESPN in March that the team capped season ticket sales at 8,200 to accommodate single-game purchases, with a waiting list of 7,500 for season tickets as of late March.

“Doing what we’ve accomplished in 15 months is almost unthinkable for a new team,” stated Summit FC owner Rob Cohen before the home opener. “Just 15 months ago, we lacked staff, design plans for our performance center, players, and a coaching staff. To reach this point in just over a year is truly hard to believe.”