Boston’s newest NWSL club enters the league in 2026 with strong local roots and clear ambition - but questions around identity, access, and long-term stability remain.
The NWSL has unveiled its 2026 regular-season schedule, opening March 13 with Washington Spirit hosting the Portland Thorns. Opening weekend also features expansion sides Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC making their league debuts on March 14, with Boston hosting defending champions Gotham FC and Denver opening on the road against Bay FC. Here are GOAL’s six takeaways.
The Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit, NWSL expansion sides debuting in 2026, will play their first home matches at iconic NFL venues, the teams announced. The legacy will play in the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium on March 14, and the Summit will open in the Denver Broncos’ Empower Field on March 28.
United States women's national team goalkeeper Casey Murphy has agreed to terms with NWSL expansion side Boston Legacy FC, according to ESPN. The 29-year-old goalkeeper will join the Massachusetts-based club for their inaugural 2026 season after completing the current campaign with North Carolina Courage, ending a spell of four years with the club.
When asked about her contract status, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman stressed she intends to remain in the role, while also announcing a major shift in the league’s expansion strategy. The NWSL will move from fixed application windows to a flexible rolling process, following two rounds of expansion that drew interest from over a dozen ownership groups.
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