After nearly six months of anticipation, Denver’s National Women’s Soccer League expansion team has a name. The Denver Summit FC moniker was announced Tuesday by the league’s 16th franchise.
The announcement comes after fans voted on five possible team names in February. While the team claims Denver Summit FC won the contest with 15,000 votes and suggestions, it wasn’t an option.
A similar name, the Colorado Summit FC, was on the list along with Colorado 14ers FC, Denver Peak FC, Denver Elevate FC and Denver Gold FC. The vote also gave an option for write-in suggestions.
“It was vital for us to name our club in collaboration with our community. Our crest, colors and brand are representative of Denver and all of Colorado,” Denver Summit FC President Jen Millet said in a news release. “It embraces our aspirational goals and pioneering spirit to build the best soccer club in the world.”
The name comes as the team prepares for its inaugural season beginning in January 2026. While the team will play at a temporary venue in Centennial for its first two seasons, it plans to debut a $150-$200 million, 14,500-seat stadium by 2028 off Interstate 25 and Santa Fe Drive.
A reluctant City Council approved $70 million of taxpayer funds to buy land and make neighborhood improvements for the stadium in May.
“For $70 million, Denver better be in the name of this team,” Councilor Amanda Sawyer said in an April committee hearing on the project.
The team is also planning to ask for additional tax breaks upward of $150 million for the stadium later this year.
“Denver Summit FC is more than a brand or a name,” Mayor Mike Johnston said. “It’s a promise that this team aspires to represent what’s best about Denver on one of the biggest stages in professional women’s sports.”
The team’s new crest features green and white mountains, similar to its preliminary logo and Colorado’s license plates, along with a red and yellow sky. The crest was designed by Matthew Wolff, who has designed jerseys for many of the NWSLs 14 current teams.
Colorado’s professional ultimate Frisbee franchise will be getting a new name as a result of the announcement as well. The team, currently known as the Colorado Summit, worked with the NWSL team and will rebrand for its 2026 season. Fans can vote for the team’s new name on its website.
Denver Summit FC will host a free, public event to celebrate its new identity in McGregor Square on Saturday at 2 p.m.