NWSL plans expansion teams in Boston, Utah and San Francisco

January 30 – The 12-team National Women's Soccer League is in advanced talks to expand with three new teams in Boston, Utah and the San Francisco Bay Area.

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The Utah and San Francisco teams are scheduled to start play in 2024 and the Boston team is scheduled to start in 2025.

The NWSL started with eight teams in 2013 and grew to 12 teams in 2022 with the addition of Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC in California. Angel City averages 19,000 spectators.

Boston previously had a founding NWSL team, the Boston Breakers, but it folded after five years.

The franchise fee for the new Boston team would be $50 million, the same for the San Francisco team.

Utah owners will pay significantly less — between $2 million and $5 million — following a settlement reached when the original Utah Royals franchise closed in 2020.

The NWSL begins its 11th season in March.

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