The reported roadmap would take the NWSL from 16 clubs today to 18 by 2028. Boston Legacy and Denver Summit FC are due to join in 2026, followed by Atlanta City FC and an unnamed Columbus club two years later.
That growth is a sharp change from the league’s position when Berman began her role in 2022, when it had 12 teams. The arrivals of Utah Royals and Bay FC in 2024 established the latest expansion cycle, but the next stage will require the league to assess whether new markets can support sustainable ownership groups.
The financial barrier to entry has risen significantly. Reported expansion fees increased from $2 million for Angel City to $53 million for Boston, $110 million for Denver and $165 million for Atlanta.
The Columbus ownership group reportedly raised the benchmark again with a $205 million fee. That progression strengthens the league’s commercial position, while also making market selection more consequential. Prospective owners will need more than ambition: they will require stadium plans, local investment and evidence of long-term fan demand.
No potential destinations for teams 19 and 20 have been formally identified. Cincinnati and Cleveland have previously been linked with interest, but the process appears to remain at an exploratory stage.
The next milestones will be the financial update, the opening of the data room and the emergence of credible ownership bids. If the current expansion pace continues, the NWSL’s next clubs could define whether its national footprint becomes a slogan or a sustainable competition model.