The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) kicked off its 2026 season with a historic surge in fan support, setting new league records for opening weekend attendance. Across eight matches nationwide, the league welcomed 129,202 fans—an average of 16,150 per game—the highest figures ever for an NWSL season opener.
Boston Legacy FC stole the spotlight with a debut crowd of 30,207 at their inaugural home match, marking the largest attendance for a first-game in league history. Meanwhile, Kansas City Current (11,500) and Washington Spirit (19,215) both sold out their stadiums, reinforcing the growing popularity of professional women’s soccer in the U.S.
Other clubs contributed to the record-breaking weekend: North Carolina Courage posted a club-record 8,159 attendees at WakeMed Soccer Park; Bay FC welcomed 13,110 fans for their third consecutive 10,000+ home opener; Angel City FC (16,813), Orlando Pride (16,120), and San Diego Wave FC (14,078) also drew significant crowds.
The seven matches that surpassed the 10,000-attendance mark shattered the previous league record of four, set in 2023 and 2025, signaling a new era of fan engagement and growth for the NWSL.
The league’s record-setting start underscores the expanding footprint of women’s professional soccer in the U.S., driven by high-profile expansion teams, star players, and increased media coverage.