San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium has been chosen to host the prestigious National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Championship game on November 11, 2023, following the Women's World Cup held in August. This marks the first time the championship will be held on the West Coast since 2018.
Opened in August 2022, the Snapdragon Stadium is home to San Diego Wave FC and so far has had a triumphant year hosting a variety of top-notch soccer events. The stadium now expects to set a new record for attendance at the NWSL Championship, creating a significant milestone in the history of women's soccer.
San Diego Wave FC President Jill Ellis shared her excitement about hosting the event, saying, "This gives us another significant opportunity to welcome the world's game to San Diego, and we could not be prouder of our fans for embracing our club and creating the passionate atmosphere that is giving us the opportunity to bring this event to Snapdragon Stadium," Times of San Diego reported.
The Wave FC has had notable success with their fanbase, leading the NWSL in attendance with an average of over 20,000 fans per game, according to The Equalizer. When configured for soccer-specific events, the Snapdragon Stadium has a seating capacity of 32,000. The San Diego Wave FC broke the league's single-game attendance record last September during its inaugural home match, which saw a sellout crowd of 32,000 spectators.
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman spoke highly of San Diego as the perfect location for the championship match, stating, "With top-notch facilities, a passionate soccer community, and a favorable coastal climate, San Diego sets the perfect stage for our marquee event.".
The 2023 NWSL playoffs will feature the top six teams at the end of the regular season, with the top two seeds earning a first-round bye to the semifinals. The playoffs are set to begin on October 22, with matches airing across CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. Semifinal games will take place on November 4, leading up to the Championship match on November 11, which will be staged at 5 p.m. local time on the CBS Television Network and Paramount+.
Historically, the NWSL has had difficulties securing and announcing the venue for its Championship game in a timely manner. However, this year appears to be a turning point, with the choice of Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego as the venue showcasing a more streamlined and strategic selection process by the league.
As mentioned by The Equalizer, if Snapdragon Stadium achieves a sellout crowd for the NWSL Championship, the league will be able to boast its largest championship attendance in history. Such a feat would serve as a key indicator of growth for the sport and its increasing popularity, helping attract potential sponsors, media rights holders, and expansion groups.
With San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium setting the stage for a historic NWSL Championship that could see record-breaking attendance, the spotlight is shining on women's soccer, highlighting its rapid growth and bright future.
