NWSL Championship 2025 Announcement
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has announced that the championship match in 2025 will take place at PayPal Park situated in San Jose, California, on November 22. Since 2015, the league has opted for predetermined venues for its championship games, and according to ESPN sources, PayPal Park was a frontrunner throughout the location selection process.
About PayPal Park
Catering primarily to NWSL’s Bay FC and the Major League Soccer team San Jose Earthquakes, PayPal Park, which opened its doors in 2015, boasts a seating capacity of 18,000. The venue has previously hosted significant events including matches featuring both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams. In its most recent appearance, the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) faced Brazil in a match that ended in a 2-1 defeat at a filled-to-capacity crowd.
Additionally, the U.S. Men’s National Team is scheduled to kick off its campaign for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup at this location on Sunday.
Commissioner’s Remarks
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman expressed enthusiasm about bringing the championship back to the West Coast, highlighting the Bay Area’s rich history with women’s soccer. She noted the community’s fervor for the sport and the excitement surrounding Bay FC, which is in its second season in the league. Berman acknowledged the collaboration with local partners, including Bay FC, the San Jose Earthquakes, San Jose Sports Authority, and the Bay Area Host Committee, in making the championship a reality.
Attendance Updates and Records
The upcoming NWSL Championship will be notable as it represents the second time in three seasons that California hosts the final; San Diego was the venue for last year’s championship. That match drew an impressive crowd of 25,011, setting a new attendance record for the finals. Currently, Bay FC has an average attendance of nearly 13,400 fans per match this season, while their counterparts, the Earthquakes, attract around 15,500 spectators.
An exciting upcoming match for Bay FC is on August 23, when the team aims to break the regular-season attendance record against the Washington Spirit at Oracle Park, home of the MLB’s San Francisco Giants. The record of 35,038 fans was set last season at Wrigley Field in Chicago, and Bay FC has already sold 25,000 tickets for this fixture.
Future Considerations
PayPal Park is located approximately 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, which may also see NWSL events tied to the championship as the league looks to enhance commercial opportunities. Berman has reaffirmed the NWSL’s commitment to the predetermined site approach, drawing parallels to the NFL’s decision to host the Super Bowl at fixed locations due to the extensive planning required.
“For where we are right now in our business and our business goals, we’ll continue to have a neutral site for the foreseeable future,” stated Berman last November.
