NWSL Adding Two Teams to League By 2024, Including Utah, per Report

The National Women’s Soccer League continues to expand its viewership, fan support and even its teams.

After two new teams were introduced ahead of the 2022 season—Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC—NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman told ESPN that two more teams are expected to join the league in 2024. The NWSL would then consist of 14 total teams across the country.

2024 seems like the likely year as of now, especially as Berman said “2023 is 100% off the table,” in regards to the expansion.

Around 30 potential investors have reached out to the league and commissioner, which then opens a formal bidding process for the first time in league history.

“There’s really nothing more important than an expansion team being set up for success,” Berman said. “We’ve seen that with Angel City and San Diego. We’ve seen that with Kansas City and Louisville. When teams are the right investors coming into the league with the right strategy, it can really propel the league forward in terms of our growth trajectory. So, we’re going to be very intentional about seizing the moment.”

No new teams have been made official yet for the expansion. However, it’s previously been discussed that the Utah Royals could be resurrected as team No. 13. The Royals played in NWSL from 2018–20. David Blitzer and Ryan Smith, co-owners of Utah’s MLS team Real Salt Lake, continue to be outspoken about their desire to bring back a women’s team to the area, and according to reports, Utah is expected to land one of the new NWSL clubs.

Other than Utah, many interested parties include cities that already have MLS teams. Right now, no certain teams stick out as leaders for earning the 14th team.