‘Catalytic investment’ for Denver NWSL stadium

Article posted by Coliseum, May 26^th, 2025

Image: Denver NWSL

The Denver City Council on May 12^th approved two “catalytic investments” involving the proposed National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) stadium and the site of the former Park Hill Golf Course in Denver, Colorado (US).

‘DENVER 7’ stated that in March plans were unveiled for a 14,500-seat NWSL stadium in the area of Broadway and Interstate 25 known as Santa Fe Yards. The stadium is slated to open in 2028.

The City Council unanimously approved the acquisition of the former Park Hill Golf Course from the Westside Investment Partners (a real estate investment and development firm based in Denver). In exchange the company will receive an undeveloped parcel of land (145 acres) in Adams County (Colorado).

At 155 acres the property marks the City’s largest single purchase of private land for public use.

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a women’s professional soccer league and the highest level of the United States soccer league system. The league comprises 14 teams (16 in 2026). It is owned by the teams and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (the official governing body of soccer in the United States). The NWSL is headquartered in Midtown Manhattan.

Denver’s NWSL expansion team unveiled plans for a new stadium at Santa Fe Yards in Denver. The 14,500-seat venue is set to open in Spring 2028.

‘DENVER 7’ further stated that the Denver Mayor’s office said an investment in the site could “generate up to $2.2 billion in economic impact and nearly $500 million in tax revenue over 30 years as well as support more than 1,100 jobs”.

The ownership group will fund the stadium in its entirety but there was a proposed InterGovernmental Agreement (IGA) between the NWSL ownership group, the City of Denver and the Broadway Station Metropolitan District. The IGA would require an investment from the City of $70 million.

Of the $70 million up to $50 million would be used to acquire the land for the proposed stadium while the other $20 million would be used for off-site stadium improvements including pedestrian sidewalks, trails to connect the parks, parking, traffic, street lighting, and more.

The City Council voted 11-1 recently to approve the IGA. At-Large Council Member Sarah Parady was the only “no” vote.

Parady had expressed doubt about the stadium in previous City Council meetings – “We are facing the collapse of global financial markets. So, I have to say, I don’t believe that the stadium will ever be built and I wish that I did. I don’t think it’s gonna get built.”

Parady cast doubt on the reliability of the City’s return-on-investment projections. She said the study does not account for the opportunity cost of spending the $70 million elsewhere on “existentially urgent competing priorities” like housing.

The City said the funding will come from Denver’s Capital Improvement Fund (a six-year plan that outlines the City’s prioritized list of capital projects needed to meet the community needs and support the City’s growth) which is used specifically for economic development projects and “will not affect the City’s general operating budget”.

The other Council Members who voted “yes” expressed hesitations about the project with respect to how the tax-increment financing money (TIF) will be allocated. They said they want to keep a close eye on more detailed plans and the state of the economy before a more formal vote which is expected to take place in November.

Luke Johnson, Owner of Luke & Company Fine Pet Supply and President of the Broadway Merchants Association, said he’s thrilled about the potential new stadium – “Right now it’s a dusty plot of land and it’s a prime location, right? It’s near the highway, it’s near light rail, it’s walking distance to businesses. So there’s a lot to be loved about that spot.”

The Mayor of Denver Mike Johnston called Monday (May 12^th) a “historic day for Denver. It’s a total transformation of one of Denver’s great neighborhoods. So, for us, that’s a win, win, and win for land that we will own publicly, in perpetuity. So if there’s ever a time where 50 years from now this stadium moves the City of Denver will get that property back.”

Johnston defended the $70 million price tag and the speedy timeline between the team’s introduction in early 2025 to plans for a dedicated stadium.

Denver’s NWSL team is set to begin playing in 2026 starting at a temporary stadium in Centennial in Colorado.

In a statement Johnston praised the City Council’s approval of the two projects – “With the United States facing such economic uncertainty now is the time to grab the reins and seize the opportunity to invest in our future. There is nothing Denver cannot do when we work together – whether that’s building the Denver of tomorrow, demonstrating that women’s sports are as valuable as men’s, or giving Park Hill back to the people who fought so long and so hard for a day they thought might never come.”

The Denver City Council was set to vote on an expansion of the National Western Complex but that vote was postponed on May 12^th.

The expansion could bring a new equestrian center, hotel and workforce housing development. The City leaders hope this would allow for the ability to host year-round programming, lodging and residential opportunities.

According to the Mayor’s office an economic impact study could contribute nearly $3 billion in gross development product for Colorado, over $2.1 billion in personal income and support for more than 11,000 jobs over a five-year span.

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