Jeff KassoufMar 28, 2026, 04:09 PM ETCloseJeff Kassouf covers women’s soccer for ESPN, focusing on the USWNT and NWSL. In 2009, he founded The Equalizer, a women’s soccer news outlet, and he previously won a Sports Emmy at NBC Sports and Olympics.Multiple Authors
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Denver Summit FC – Game Highlights (1:19)Watch the Game Highlights from NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Denver Summit FC, 03/26/2026 (1:19)
The attendance smashed the old league record, which was set less than a year ago, by over 20,000 tickets. It also set a new attendance record for a standalone women’s soccer game in the United States.
The one disappointment on the day for Denver was that the huge crowd weren’t able to celebrate a goal, as the teams played to a 0-0 draw.
“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.”
“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.”
Washington, headlined by star American forward Trinity Rodman, was the opponent for the league’s record-breaking crowds in 2025 and on Saturday.
“I think it’s really rewarding and really cool just to see how much it’s grown the last five years, never mind 10.
“So, it’s really cool for me to see and for the people who have been in the league less, I think it’s cool to almost step into this when it’s already so big and we have these opportunities. To me, it’s just really exciting. I don’t really get nervous anymore.”
The Chicago Stars broke the record in 2024 with a game at the iconic baseball stadium, Wrigley Field, when they announced a crowd of 35,038.
Among the stars in attendance Saturday were 1999 World Cup winners Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain, and Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Aly Raisman.
Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and Olympic gold medal-winning skier Mikaela Shiffrin are also minority investors in the Summit.
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Denver Summit FC – Game Highlights (1:19)Watch the Game Highlights from NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Denver Summit FC, 03/26/2026 (1:19)
Jeff KassoufMar 28, 2026, 04:09 PM ETCloseJeff Kassouf covers women’s soccer for ESPN, focusing on the USWNT and NWSL. In 2009, he founded The Equalizer, a women’s soccer news outlet, and he previously won a Sports Emmy at NBC Sports and Olympics.Multiple Authors
CloseJeff Kassouf covers women’s soccer for ESPN, focusing on the USWNT and NWSL. In 2009, he founded The Equalizer, a women’s soccer news outlet, and he previously won a Sports Emmy at NBC Sports and Olympics.
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.
The single-game NWSL attendance record has now been broken in four successive seasons.
Average attendance dipped slightly last year across the NWSL to 10,669 fans per game.
Watch the Game Highlights from NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Denver Summit FC, 03/26/2026 (1:19)
