NWSL Began Process for Teams 19 and 20

Commissioner Jessica Berman announced the start of the selection phase for the next two NWSL expansion franchises.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Soccer

Expressive sports illustration of a female soccer player in motion, wearing teal and yellow, representing women's professional soccer league expansion. — The National Women's Soccer League has officially launched the selection process for two new expansion franchises, identified as teams 19 and 20. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman has officially launched the expansion process for teams 19 and 20. This move signals a continued commitment to league growth following recent franchise awards in other major U.S. cities.

Why it matters

The league is seeking to capitalize on a strong appetite among professional sports investors for NWSL ownership. Selecting new franchises requires identifying groups capable of operating best-in-class organizations comparable to those in other leagues.

The league is currently initiating the formal selection process for expansion team 19 and team 20. This follows previous expansion activity, including the award of a franchise to Columbus in April 2026.

The players

Jessica Berman

She serves as the Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League and oversees the growth and operations of the professional league.

NWSL

The National Women's Soccer League is the top tier of professional women's soccer in the United States.

Racing Louisville FC

This is a professional women's soccer club based in Louisville that has been a member of the NWSL since 2021.

FC Cincinnati

This is a major professional soccer organization that publicly expressed interest in acquiring an NWSL team in 2024.

The details

The league maintains an active conversation process to evaluate ownership groups based on their professional sports management experience. While FC Cincinnati previously confirmed interest in 2024 and reports surfaced regarding potential purchase talks for Racing Louisville FC, the league is now focused on identifying the next pair of clubs.

Racing Louisville FC joined the NWSL in 2021.
FC Cincinnati confirmed its interest in an NWSL expansion team in June 2024.
The NWSL awarded an expansion franchise to Columbus in April 2026.
Reports surfaced regarding potential sale talks for Racing Louisville FC in September 2026.
The new Columbus and Atlanta franchises are scheduled to begin league play in 2028.

Season Trajectory

This announcement marks a significant step in the league's strategic growth, building upon the established expansion framework that recently brought teams to Denver, Columbus, and Atlanta. By opening the path for teams 19 and 20, the league is actively shaping the long-term competitive map and geographic footprint for the 2028 season and beyond.

The formal opening of this selection process provides a timeline for future roster additions that will eventually alter league scheduling and travel logistics. Interested markets and potential ownership groups are currently engaged in a high-stakes vetting process that will determine the final composition of the league's 20-team structure.

The takeaway

The league is aggressively pursuing a growth strategy to meet the rising demand from investors in the women's professional sports market. Future expansion will likely be determined by which ownership groups can best demonstrate their operational capacity and commitment to top-tier standards.