SPORTS

New York match sets women's sports attendance record

PUBLISHED Jul 16, 2026, 3:17 AM ET

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New York’s Gotham FC set a new women’s sports attendance record for New York City on July 15, 2026, drawing 42,175 fans to Citi Field in Queens for a National Women’s Soccer League regular-season match against the Washington Spirit. Branded as “The Queens Classic,” the event marked the first women’s professional sporting event at Citi Field and the first NWSL match played within New York City limits. The crowd exceeded the previous city record of 28,143 from Coco Gauff’s 2023 US Open final win and ranked as the second-largest single-match attendance in NWSL history. Gotham FC won 1-0 in a nationally televised ESPN broadcast.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2023 Coco Gauff sets prior attendance benchmark
March 28 Denver Summit draws league record
July 15, 2026 Citi Field hosts Queens Classic
July 15, 2026 Gotham FC controls early possession
July 15, 2026 Washington Spirit chance denied by Berger
July 15, 2026 Gotham breaks scoreless tie after turnover
July 15, 2026 Record 42,175 spectators announced
July 15, 2026 ESPN broadcasts nationally across United States

News Intelligence

This record-breaking event highlights the growing popularity of women's sports. If you're a fan, it's a sign of more exciting matches to come. If you're a parent, it's a great time to encourage your daughters to participate in sports.