Denver women's soccer team plans stadium at Santa Fe Yards
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A rendering of the stadium for the Denver NWSL team. Photo: Courtesy of Denver NWSL
Denver's new professional women's soccer team will play inside city limits — at its very own stadium.
The big picture: The National Women's Soccer League team announced plans Tuesday to build a soccer-specific, 14,500-seat stadium and surrounding district for the yet-to-be-named club at Santa Fe Yards between Broadway and I-25.
- By comparison, Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, home to the Colorado Rapids, has an 18,000-seat capacity.
Why it matters: The purpose-built stadium and recreational district is the first of its kind for women's sports in Colorado.
Zoom in: The 14-acre development situated roughly 5 miles south of downtown Denver will include a 3.5-acre park and mixed-used development, per a statement from the team.
- Developer CAA ICON, which has experience building stadiums, is leading the development, design and construction, along with architectural firm Populous.
- The cost of the stadium and district has not been disclosed, Denver NWSL spokesperson Brendan Hannan told us.
What they're saying: "Santa Fe Yards will set a new standard for what professional athletes deserve," NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement.
Caveat: "It'll need to be ratified by City Council, and it's never done until that's over, but we are very optimistic about the process," Mayor Mike Johnston told the Denver Post.
- In a statement to Axios Denver, council member Flor Alvidrez, who represents the district where the stadium would be, said she is "so excited" — calling it a "transformative" project aimed at "reconnecting neighborhoods," supporting local businesses and "uplifting women in sports and leadership."
- Development plans are expected to go before the council in early April, Hannan told us.
The other side: Environmental activist and former mayoral candidate Ean Thomas Tafoya posted on X questioning whether building a new stadium is the right move.
- Tafoya, who says he supports the women's team coming to Denver, told us existing sites should be considered, as well as potential air pollution and costs associated with building a new sports complex.
Flashback: In January, the Women's Soccer League announced Denver as the host for its 16th team, with the intention to build a new home for the team giving the city the edge over Cincinnati's bid.
What's next: As development moves forward, Alvidrez said her office is "committed to deep community outreach and ensuring this development is viewed through an equity lens — one that acknowledges the historic wrongs of redlining and industrial pollution while uplifting all of Denver."
- The team expects to start playing in 2026, while the stadium is anticipated to open the spring of 2028, per a statement.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details and renderings.