Denver Summit FC Signals It May Explore Stadium Sites Outside City Limits as Council Delays Key Votes

DENVER, CO – Denver Summit FC is signaling a major shift in its stadium planning strategy, announcing over the weekend that it is now exploring potential sites outside of Denver while continuing to work with the city on its original proposal at Santa Fe Yards.

Aerial concept images of the proposed stadium within the Santa Fe Yards redevelopment area, sourced from the Denver Summit FC website.

The move comes after several measures tied to the project, including the release of 50 million dollars in city funding for land acquisition and infrastructure, were postponed by a Denver City Council committee last week. The delay was driven by questions over how certain infrastructure elements would be funded, including a planned pedestrian bridge connecting the stadium site to nearby transit.

In a public statement, Summit FC ownership said that challenges in the Denver City Council process have prompted the organization to pursue a parallel path with other jurisdictions in the metro area. At the same time, the ownership group stressed that it is still in active discussions with Mayor Mike Johnston, City Council, and local stakeholders to keep the project in Denver.

A Tight Timeline for a 2028 Stadium Opening

The team has committed to opening a purpose-built, 14,500 seat stadium in March 2028 as part of its agreement with the National Women’s Soccer League. To stay on track, the club says it needs key approvals in hand by the end of 2025.

Denver had previously committed 70 million dollars toward early stage costs, with the team expected to contribute 150 to 200 million dollars of its own capital to complete the project. Additional city investments, including 20 million dollars for surrounding public improvements and a possible pedestrian bridge, remain under review.

Councilmembers say they want more clarity before approving new public funding. Concerns have centered on total cost, long term financing structure, and whether the project aligns with broader budget constraints.

Local Businesses and Residents React

Businesses near the proposed Santa Fe Yards site have expressed mixed emotions following the team’s announcement. Some say the uncertainty is discouraging after months of planning around the new entertainment district. Others emphasized how transformative a women’s professional sports venue could be for the area. Nearby residents who supported the stadium describe the location as underutilized land in need of investment, and worry that a move outside the city would mean losing a walkable, transit connected venue.

What Happens Next

Summit FC will play its inaugural home match at Empower Field at Mile High in March 2026 and is constructing a temporary stadium in Centennial to use through the 2026 and 2027 seasons. The Denver City Council committee overseeing South Platte River projects is scheduled to revisit the postponed spending package on December 10, marking the next opportunity to advance the Denver site. In the meantime, the team says it is weighing options elsewhere in the metro area, though no alternative locations have been publicly identified.

Developing Denver will continue to track this story as the team, City Council, and Mayor’s office work to determine whether the stadium remains in Denver or moves outside city limits.

All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.

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All project information was sourced from publicly available site plans, renderings, and permitting documents.