The National Women`s Soccer League (NWSL) welcomes its newest franchise, set to debut in Denver. This team, which will kick off its inaugural season in 2026 alongside Boston Legacy FC, now has an official name: Denver Summit FC. Denver was first announced as the league`s 16th team in January, marking a significant expansion for professional women`s soccer.
The name Denver Summit FC was officially unveiled after an extensive fan engagement campaign. The franchise organized a “Name The Club” vote, presenting supporters with six pre-selected options, all reflecting local Denver references. The online voting initiative garnered over 15,000 votes and suggestions, with Denver Summit FC emerging as the top choice.
Jen Millet, President of Denver Summit FC, expressed enthusiasm about the new identity. “We are thrilled to unveil Denver Summit FC as our name and to share our crest and colors with Colorado and the world,” Millet stated. “It was crucial for us to name our club in collaboration with our community. Our crest, colors, and brand are truly representative of Denver and all of Colorado, embodying our aspirational goals and pioneering spirit to build the best soccer club in the world.”
The club`s branding, including its colors of green, white, red, and sandstone, and its crest, were designed by renowned soccer graphic designer Matthew Wolff. Interestingly, the NWSL team collaborated with the Colorado Summitt, a professional ultimate frisbee franchise, during the naming process. The frisbee team plans to rebrand itself ahead of its own 2026 season, also through a fan voting contest.
Rob Cohen, Controlling Owner of Denver Summit FC, highlighted the connection between the club`s identity and Colorado`s landscape. “We are excited to firmly place Denver Summit FC in Denver`s storied sports lexicon,” Cohen said. “Coloradans are passionate about the outdoors, so it was always our vision that the crest should depict our natural surroundings. Our elevation offers us a distinct home-field advantage, and our goal is to build a club that is always pursuing excellence on and off the field. Much like the picturesque Rocky Mountains, our charge is to stand apart while always reaching for new heights.”
The franchise recently announced that former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning has joined its ownership group as a minority investor. Demonstrating its commitment to a top-tier future, Summit FC has also broken ground on a state-of-the-art performance center. Furthermore, the club has committed to building a dedicated NWSL stadium: a 14,500-seat facility planned for Sante Fe Yards, set to open in Spring 2028. This venue will be a landmark as the first purpose-built sports and entertainment district in Colorado specifically designed for professional women`s sports.
