Meet Denver Summit FC: All you need to know about the new NWSL club | OneFootball

Denver Summit FC is officially joining the NWSL as the league’s 16th franchise for the 2026 season.

Aiming for a Rocky Mountain high, this expansion club won’t just make up the numbers. With a star-studded roster, a world-class manager in Nick Cushing, and ticket sales already shattering expectations for their March debut, the Summit is poised to prove that the women’s game belongs at a mile high.

A new peak for women’s soccer

So what is it about Denver that makes this latest addition stand out? The name speaks for itself, setting the stage for the summit this club wishes to achieve. In hopes of bringing people together and striving to reach new heights on and off the pitch, Denver hopes to make immediate waves in the women’s game.

The ’14ers’ — the club’s official supporters group — are ready to bring the energy for a roster that is already turning heads. The front office has assembled a star-studded lineup that includes Abby Smith, Ally Brazier, Carson Pickett, Kaleigh Kurtz, and Janine Sonis.

Perhaps the biggest splash is the arrival of Lindsey Heaps, who will join the squad later this season. From the front line to the goal, Denver Summit is ready to bring the heat with legitimate attacking power and a skilled defensive presence.

Nick Cushing leads star-studded Denver Summit staff

Commanding the team is a manager that global soccer fans will instantly recognize: Nick Cushing.

Cushing brings a championship pedigree to Denver, having previously served as the head coach of Manchester City in the WSL. Most recently, he managed New York City FC on the MLS side, giving him a unique blend of NWSL-adjacent and European experience that the club hopes will translate to immediate success.

Rounding out the inaugural staff are assistant coaches Angela Salem and Alan Mahon. Former England international Karen Bardsley joins as goalkeeper coach, with James Mitchell serving as video coach.

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A three-stadium journey

Now, where is this team going to be based? Denver Summit will play at two sites before moving into its own stadium.

Following the first home opener at Empower Field, the journey will continue in Commerce City, Colorado, at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park throughout the spring.

In July, the next phase will be to open up Centennial Stadium, which will be in mid-summer. This stadium will serve as their home for the remainder of the 2026 home matches and throughout the 2027 season.

Breaking attendance records

As the season approaches, President Jen Millet notes that the community is already welcoming this team with open arms.

“There is nothing more powerful than a city showing for its team. Crossing the 25,000 mark for the kickoff tells us everything we need to know about what this moment means to Denver,” said Millet.

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Denver Summit FC will take center stage against the Washington Spirit on March 28 at Empower Field for their inaugural home opener. Ticket sales are already skyrocketing — as of February 4, the club has sold more than 40,000 tickets, putting them on track to sell out the lower bowl and potentially challenge league attendance records.

Preseason first look: Coachella Valley Invitational

Before the home opener, fans will get their first glimpse of the squad in action this month. Denver Summit FC will make its debut at the Coachella Valley Invitational in Indio, California. The preseason tournament featuring both MLS and NWSL clubs will introduce Denver to two league opponents in the desert.

These matches serve not only to build chemistry on the pitch but also to give the ’14ers’ their first taste of NWSL competition. With the tools in place and a community ready to support them, the Summit is poised to break boundaries and expand the women’s game in 2026.

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