On Wednesday night at Citi Field, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) experienced a landmark moment as Gotham FC edged out the Washington Spirit 1-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of 42,175 fans. This attendance not only set a record for the largest women’s sporting event ever held in New York City but also became the league’s second-highest turnout overall, trailing only the Denver expansion side’s massive 63,004 attendance at Empower Field in 2026.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman left Citi Field buoyed by the significance of the occasion, interpreting the event as a pivotal milestone for the league, which is now in its 13th year. The packed stadium, hosting a midweek game during the crowded summer sports calendar, underscored the growing appetite for professional women’s soccer, particularly as Gotham prepares to shift its home base to nearby Etihad Park.
Building Lasting Connections Beyond a Single Match
Speaking at halftime, Berman emphasized that the Queens Classic was more than just a one-off spectacle. “My favorite thing about tonight is that it isn’t transactional,” she remarked. “It’s not a one-and-done. This is the beginning of a new relationship for this team in Queens.” This sentiment reflects the league’s broader vision of cultivating sustained community engagement rather than relying on isolated events.
Organizing the game required seamless collaboration between multiple stakeholders. Despite competing with the high-profile ESPY Awards, the NWSL, ESPN, Gotham FC, and the NWSL Players Association coordinated effectively to secure the 8 PM ET kickoff within ESPN’s Wednesday night programming block. The strong turnout validated these efforts, with Berman noting that the quality of the soccer on display “sells itself.”