STAMFORD — Connecticut Sports Group Wednesday has agreed to terms with WPSL PRO to establish a women’s professional soccer club in Connecticut. The final award of the team is contingent on the delivery of the proposed Bridgeport waterfront stadium, which will serve as the club’s home venue.
WPSL Pro will launch in 2027 as a new professional women’s soccer league that will serve as the second division of U.S. Soccer. It’s designed to expand opportunities, accelerate growth and unlock untapped markets for the women’s game. Connecticut’s club, the league’s 18th committed franchise, is scheduled to kick off in 2028.
“Connecticut isn’t just joining a league — it’s helping drive a movement,” said Anne Hoge, board member of WPSL Pro. “With its proud tradition in women’s sports, a bold vision for soccer and a landmark stadium project, Connecticut has the momentum and ingenuity to set the pace for the whole region.”
According to a press release, WPSL Pro’s model will be built around a regional structure that reduces travel strain and fosters natural rivalries, benefitting both athlete performance and fan connection. The league also builds on the powerful foundation of its affiliate, the Women’s Premier Soccer League — the world’s largest and longest-running women’s league — which has been home to many of the game’s greatest players since 1998.
The announcement underscores Connecticut’s longstanding reputation for excellence in women’s sports. From the historic success of UConn women’s basketball to the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, the state has produced and supported some of the most elite athletes in the country.
“As someone who has personally benefited from the opportunities athletics can provide, I know how powerful this moment is for young women across Connecticut,” said Michelle Swanston, partner at CTSG. “This will be the first professional women’s soccer club in our state’s history, and it represents a tremendous opportunity for women to advance their sports careers both on and off the field.”
The Connecticut Sports Group and co-owner of the CT United FC are waiting for the state legislature to approve $100 million in funding to building the stadium on the city’s East Side. Gov. Ned Lamont and the General Assembly called for an economic impact statement for the stadium project before any funds can be allocated.
However, the Senate unanimously passed tax increment financing (TIF) legislation that allows the City of Bridgeport to create a district for the billion-dollar East Side project.
Once the stadium is delivered, the club will join a league positioned to create new professional pathways for players, coaches, and executives across the soccer landscape. Beyond the field, the stadium and team will generate community and economic benefits by driving local investment, creating jobs, bringing residents together, and attracting visitors – providing lasting value for fans and businesses alike.
Fans are invited to celebrate news of the new team in the Fan HQ area between gates C and D before kickoff of the U.S. Women’s National Team vs. Portugal friendly at Rentschler Field on Sunday, Oct. 26.
