Temporary stadium plans for Denver NWSL

Article posted by Coliseum, April 15^th, 2025

Image: Denver NWSL

Denver National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has unveiled plans to build a permanent world-class performance center and purpose-built temporary stadium in Centennial, Colorado.

Denver NWSL said the state-of-the-art performance center will serve as Denver NWSL’s training facility. The performance center and temporary stadium will sit on 43 acres.

Denver NWSL recently announced its plan to build a permanent stadium and recreational district for professional women’s soccer in Denver’s (Colorado, US) urban core.

The Denver NWSL team, which begins play in 2026, will play its home games at a 14,500-seat stadium at Santa Fe Yards located at the intersection of Broadway and I-25 in Denver, Colorado (US) which is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2028.

Meanwhile Denver NWSL, in partnership with the City of Centennial and the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD), will build a 12,000-seat temporary stadium for Denver NWSL to play in for the 2026 and 2027 NWSL seasons.

Image: Denver NWSL

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).

Denver NWSL controlling owner Rob Cohen said, “Our partnership with the City of Centennial and the Cherry Creek School District represents the power of sports to unite communities and create opportunity.

“We’re proud to invest in world-class facilities that will support our athletes, engage students, enhance education, and leave a lasting impact on our community and the region. Centennial is the perfect home to begin this exciting chapter for Denver NWSL.”

Designed with future phasing in mind and catering to female athletes, the facility aspires to be among the best training facilities in the NWSL, placing a high priority on athlete recovery through cutting-edge technologies and holistic treatments.

Image: Denver NWSL

The new, state-of-the-art training facility for Denver NWSL will feature:

Approximately 20,000 square foot training facility purpose-built for professional women’s sports
Eight soccer fields including the 12,000-seat temporary stadium field
A dedicated team room for Denver NWSL featuring player lounges and private changing rooms for all of the athletes
State-of-the-art recovery facilities including hot and cold plunge, float pod, red-light therapy, and recovery lounge
A dining area and lounge for the players and family
A dedicated, quiet family room
A video analysis theater
An elite training core for integrated strength and conditioning, sports science, and sports medicine

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said, “Denver NWSL is setting a new benchmark for what it means to support professional athletes with the infrastructure they deserve,.

“From a world-class training environment to a thoughtfully designed temporary stadium, this initiative is an example of how our clubs are leading the way in reimagining what’s possible in women’s sports.

“We’re especially proud of the collaboration with the City of Centennial and the Cherry Creek School District, which ensures this investment will benefit generations of athletes and students for decades to come.”

Following the 2027 NWSL season, the stadium will be reduced to 4,000 seats and will be utilized by the Cherry Creek School District, providing a new stadium in Centennial, which will benefit thousands of students and families in 2026 and beyond.

CAA ICON has been providing stadium and performance center advisory services for the new and temporary stadium deal and is now extending its engagement to provide full project management services as the new and temporary stadium project is set to begin more formal stages of design and construction.

CAA ICON will support the development, design, and construction of the stadium working with Populous.

Global design firm, Populous, was chosen to lead the performance center and temporary stadium design and related design and engineering consultants.

Populous is known for its dynamic design approach, which synthesizes architectural expertise and understanding of fan experience to deliver stadiums authentic to their cities and primed for economic impact.

Sherri Privitera, Director of Women’s Professional Sports at design firm Populous, said, “Populous is honored to be part of this transformational project in Denver.

“We are redefining excellence in designing for women’s professional sports and are committed to reimagining spaces that are designed for female athletes’ distinct needs.”

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