Denver Summit FC Announces Construction of Purpose-Built Stadium and Surrounding Development to Create Community-Based Experiences 

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has been attracting record crowds, regularly selling out matches, and with the latest franchise, the 16th, awarded to Denver, the momentum continues. The city council recently approved a $70 million infrastructure grant to purchase a 41-acre vacant lot south of downtown at Santa Fe Yards. Populous was chosen to design a purpose-built stadium for the expansion team, whose name and crest were recently revealed as Denver Summit FC, that will sit within a larger mixed-use development.

The transformation of what was once a tire factory, bordered by an interstate, rail lines and a river into a viable and sustainable gathering place is a further testament to dedicated revitalization and the public infrastructure needed to make the site feasible for private vertical development. 

The new 14,500-seat stadium, expandable up to 20,000 in the future, will be a model for how urban sports-anchored recreational spaces are evolving. Populous will partner with landscape and urban design firm, Civitas, to create a blend of architecture, greenspace and community, transcending the boundaries of traditional sports architecture—creating a home for elite women’s soccer as well as a vital, inclusive addition to Denver’s public realm. This approach blurs the lines between elite athletes and the fans who come to support them, creating a greater level of accessibility.

This is a place that can only be built in Denver.

Designed to take advantage of the optimum location, one end of the pitch will be open for spectators and situated with a stunning view of Pikes Peak as well as a look at downtown Denver and the Front Range. This openness is intentional, allowing fans to experience the high level of professional play amid the natural beauty of the Colorado landscape. A commitment to public transportation includes a location close to a light rail station and intentional pedestrian pathways to appeal to a region centered on love of sustainability and the outdoors. 

The entire development will be a purposeful evolution from single-use zones – facilities surrounded by acres of parking – to community-based, commercial, multi-use ecosystems. This evolution is visible in the alignment of the stadium entrance with the promenade along with the sloping green amphitheater-like space that, along with restaurants, shops and potential housing, creates an inclusionary experience that goes beyond sports and into dynamic shared experiences.

By anchoring elite athletics within a walkable, nature-forward public realm, we’re reinforcing the message that women’s sports deserve visibility, investment, and celebration. The legacy will be a new standard—not just for stadium design, but also for how public spaces can bring people together and elevate community pride through sport.