NEW YORK – NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said that the league plans to add another expansion team in 2026, with the aim of introducing that team by the 2028 season. The NWSL will expand to 16 teams with the addition of Boston Legacy and Denver Summit for the upcoming 2026 season, which opens on Friday. They have previously awarded a 17th franchise to an ownership group in Atlanta, led by Arthur Blank, who is closely associated with Home Depot, MLS’s Atlanta United, and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. This franchise is planned to start its inaugural season in 2028.
“We have been intentional about extending the ramp-up period for all of our expansion teams as we move forward,” Berman explained in a press conference on Wednesday. “It’s the reason we are working on team 18 in 2026 and hope to give them a very long runway.”
Columbus is in discussions regarding a potential NWSL expansion team, backed by the Haslam Sports Group, which owns the MLS’s Columbus Crew and the NFL’s Cleveland Browns.
Berman also indicated that approximately 12 prospective ownership groups have shown interest in joining the NWSL, with potential plans not yet finalized. She emphasized that the league will be deliberate in the rollout of new teams, taking market readiness into consideration.
Planning around the World Cup
The men’s World Cup in North America will influence the NWSL’s planning for the season. For instance, the Challenge Cup will be scheduled during the men’s World Cup in a non-host city, namely Columbus, to align the NWSL’s narrative with the national soccer discussion.
“We are hosting our Challenge Cup intentionally during the men’s World Cup in a neutral city, Columbus, which allows us to weave our soccer narrative into the overall national narrative during the men’s competition,” Berman noted.
The World Cup schedule poses logistical challenges since two NWSL teams will share facilities with World Cup venues, necessitating the relocation of several games. Boston Legacy will move matches to Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, while Seattle Reign will play at One Spokane Stadium during this time.
The tournament has compelled us to adapt, leveraging the situation to explore new communities to host our games, optimizing outreach and engagement.
No decision on calendar change
Regarding a switch to a fall-to-spring calendar, a decision is still pending. Berman highlighted the importance of the women’s international calendar, which runs through 2029, in evaluating this change. She acknowledged MLS’s transition in calendar could present scheduling opportunities and challenges moving forward.
“This could present challenges but can also open doors for scheduling, providing predictability for our playoffs amid overlapping seasons.”
With ongoing dialogue about the calendar’s structure, the NWSL leadership remains dedicated to balancing the interests of both the league and national teams.
