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NWSL to Award Its 18th Franchise This Year, with Team Expected to Begin Play in 2028

The NWSL's expansion to 16 teams includes Boston Legacy and Denver Summit for the 2026 campaign, which opens on Friday.
The league adopted a rolling expansion process last year, and Berman said they intentionally extended ramp-up periods for new clubs to avoid arbitrary deadlines.
The league awarded its 17th franchise to an Atlanta group led by Arthur Blank, with the Haslam family expressing interest in an NWSL club in Columbus.
Two teams must relocate home games during World Cup matches as Boston Legacy and Seattle Reign play at Centreville Bank Stadium, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and One Spokane Stadium, Spokane, while the Challenge Cup in Columbus begins Fourth of July weekend.
This year the NWSL plans to award its 18th franchise, with that team to begin play in 2028, and Jessica Berman said future expansion will depend on market readiness and the 2028 media-rights cycle.

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Oskaloosa Herald

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