Thursday, September 10, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

The Biggest NWSL Match Ever

  • San Diego Wave FC’s match against Angel City FC will draw the largest attendance ever for an NWSL game.
  • Tickets for the game at Snapdragon Stadium are sold out.
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

When San Diego Wave FC hosts Angel City FC on Sept. 17, history will be made.

The NWSL’s two newest clubs will not only draw the largest attendance ever for one of the league’s games, but also play in front of a sold-out crowd for the very first NWSL game at Snapdragon Stadium.

  • The club sold 32,000 tickets to the game — all of them 17 days before kickoff.
  • The previous NWSL record of 25,218 attendees was set by the Portland Thorns in 2019.

The $310 million Snapdragon Stadium is owned by San Diego State University. The San Diego Wave previously played at the 6,000-capacity Torero Stadium on the University of San Diego’s campus.

“We’ve sold all of our inventory, it’s incredible,” Wave president Jill Ellis said. “We should celebrate this, but we should now expect it, big crowds for women’s professional sports.”

Angel City FC was valued at more than $100 million in April 2021.

Wave of Women’s Soccer

Ellis is right — the sold-out game isn’t the only one breaking women’s soccer attendance records.

The Women’s Euro 2022 was the best attended in the tournament’s history, with an aggregated attendance of 574,875.

Shortly after the Euro, England’s international friendly against the United States in October sold out general admission tickets, with a record 65,000 tickets sold in one day.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.

Streamer Victory+ Abruptly Collapses After Missing Payments

The free streamer had deals with NWSL, NHL, MLB, and WNBA teams.
Exclusive

NWSL’s Stars Will Return to Northwestern Lakeside Stadium

The NWSL club originally sought to play in the new Ryan Field.
National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman announces Columbus as the league's 18th club at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on April 21, 2026. The club, set to begin play in 2028, will be owned by Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.

NWSL Makes Super Bowl Week Part of Its 2027 Kickoff

The NWSL wants to be “woven into” ESPN’s first Super Bowl.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Noah Eagle on Calling the 49ers vs Rams Netflix Game in Australia

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.
September 1, 2026

High School Football Sidelines Are Clogged With Content Creators

Administrators call these amateur newcomers the “pajama paparazzi.”
Aug 3, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) kisses the championship trophy during the trophy ceremony after her match against Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) in the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
August 30, 2026

How Alex Eala Turned the Philippines Into a Tennis Nation

A December homecoming match could break tennis’s attendance record.
Sponsored

The Football Marketing Offensive Playbook

How to activate during the moments that matter most to football fans.
Sponsored

How Long Acre Tavern Is Built to Handle Soccer’s Biggest Moments

Learn how Spectrum Business helps keep Long Acre Tavern in Times Square connected and ready to serve soccer fans from around the world.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
Apr 4, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Detail view of the Masters gnomes during the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
April 8, 2026

Masters Gnome Mania Dominating Merch Sales in Augusta

The limited supply of the souvenir sells out quickly daily.
Masters
April 7, 2026

Masters Private Jet Demand Nears 4,000 Flights—and Counting

Augusta annually welcomes thousands of private jets during the Masters.
Exclusive
January 20, 2026

Mike Repole and Tom Brady’s NoBull Gets $1B Valuation

NoBull raised $50 million, signed Livvy Dunne, and plans a nutrition division.