The NWSL is coming back to Boston.
The league announced on Tuesday that the city has been awarded an expansion franchise that will begin play in the 2026 season.
The new franchise will arrive eight years after Boston lost its previous team, the Boston Breakers, who folded in 2018 after being part of the league since its inception in 2013.
The club will be owned by Boston Unity Soccer Partners, an all-female ownership group with ties to Boston.
“I’m excited to expand the NWSL’s footprint and continue its transformative growth in our return to Boston, one of the world’s most iconic sports cities,” said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman in a statement.
“We are very proud to welcome Boston Unity Soccer Partners to our ownership group. They bring an impressive roster of business leaders committed to continuing Boston’s legacy of sports excellence and delivering a successful team to a very passionate fanbase. We are thrilled for their entry to the league in the 2026 season and add a new chapter to the storied history of Boston sports.”
The team will play its home games at White Stadium in Boston’s Franklin Park, a facility built in the 1940s that is set to undergo a $30 million renovation.
“I look forward to the revitalization of White Stadium and the partnership of this team and league to create new opportunities in Franklin Park and for our student-athletes citywide,” said Boston mayor Michelle Wu.
The Boston franchise will be the league’s 15th team, with Bay FC and the Utah Royals set to join next year as the 13th and 14th teams in the league. Berman has previously said the NWSL plans to add two teams for the 2026 season, which puts one more spot up for grabs after Boston’s addition.
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