Columbus Awarded 18th NWSL Franchise for 2028

Image by NWSL Columbus

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) officially announced on April 21, 2026, that Columbus, Ohio, has been awarded the league’s 18th franchise. The new club is scheduled to begin play in the 2028 season, joining the league alongside a previously announced expansion team in Atlanta.

The ownership group, led by the Haslam Sports Group (HSG)—which also owns the MLS Columbus Crew and the NFL's Cleveland Browns—paid a record-breaking expansion fee of $205 million. This fee significantly surpasses the previous record of $165 million paid for the Atlanta franchise just months prior.

Ownership and Infrastructure

The expansion bid was a collaborative effort involving several prominent local and national entities:

• Ownership Group: Led by Dee and Jimmy Haslam, with managing partners Whitney Haslam Johnson and J.W. Johnson. The group also includes Nationwide Insurance and Columbus Crew minority owners Drs. Pete and Christine Edwards.

• Home Venue: The team will play its home matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (the current home of the Columbus Crew). The stadium will undergo renovations to include women-specific locker rooms and other dedicated facilities.

• Training Facility: A state-of-the-art training center will be constructed at McCoy Park on the city's Southwest Side.

Photo by Marc Viquez, Stadium Journey

Stadium Renovation Plans

The team will share ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (the home of the Crew). Planned upgrades to the roughly 22,000-seat stadium include: 

• Dedicated Women's Facilities: Construction of custom, women-specific locker rooms and training spaces within the stadium to ensure the team has its own uniquely curated environment.

• Infrastructure Upgrades: General refurbishments to accommodate the additional technical and performance needs of an NWSL club.

• Training Center: While match play occurs downtown, a separate state-of-the-art training facility will be built at McCoy Park on the city's Southwest Side. This $50 million project will include three artificial turf fields, two natural grass fields, and dedicated performance buildings.

Community Impact and Funding

The project is supported by a $50 million public-private partnership, with the City of Columbus and Franklin County each contributing $25 million toward infrastructure.

• Park Investment: As part of the deal, the ownership group will invest $3 million into a new community park to replace the space used for the training facility.

• Repayment Plan: The city's portion will be repaid through a 2% ticket tax on events at the stadium.

• Social Commitment: The group has pledged $12 million over 12 years to the county for initiatives focused on early childhood education and food insecurity.

Courtesy of the Columbus NWSL Team

What's Next?

While the team's official name, colors, and crest have yet to be revealed, the club is currently operating under the interim name Columbus NWSL 2028. Fans can already participate in the movement:

• Founding Members: Deposits of $28 per seat can be placed at the official expansion website.

• Community Event: A free kickoff event is scheduled for May 9, 2026, at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field to celebrate the arrival of professional women’s soccer in the city.