USA/2026 NWSL: record total (129,202) and average (16,150) attendance for an opening matchday

A total of 129,202 spectators attended the first matchday of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League regular season, held from 13 to 15/03, representing an average attendance of 16,150 across the eight fixtures, announced the NWSL on 16/03/2026. These figures mark two new opening weekend attendance records for the North American league.

Seven of the eight matches drew more than 10,000 spectators, setting a new league record for opening weekend matches above that threshold, compared with the previous record of four matches in 2023 and 2025.

Among the highest attendances:
• expansion franchise Boston Legacy FC attracted 30,207 spectators at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts, 65,600 capacity) for its inaugural match, "the largest crowd ever for a club’s first game in NWSL history";
• Kansas City Current (11,500) and Washington Spirit (19,215) opened their seasons with sellout crowds;
• Angel City FC (16,813), Orlando Pride (16,120) and San Diego Wave FC (14,078) each hosted more than 14,000 spectators.

In 2025, a total of 1,926,090 spectators attended NWSL matches, for an average…