Columbus Awarded NWSL Expansion Franchise Set to Debut in 2028

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has officially awarded its 18th expansion franchise to Columbus, Ohio, with plans for the team to begin play in the 2028 season. The announcement was made by NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman during a press conference held at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on April 21, 2026, alongside city and county officials, as well as representatives from the ownership group led by Haslam Sports Group.

Columbus will join Atlanta as the two newest teams entering the league in 2028, expanding the NWSL from its current 16 teams to 18. The franchise will be owned by a consortium including Haslam Sports Group, Nationwide and several local investors, with home matches scheduled to be played at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the current home of MLS’s Columbus Crew.

Public Investment and Community Benefits

The development of the new franchise is supported by significant public funding commitments. Both the Columbus City Council and Franklin County Commissioners have approved $25 million each toward the construction of a new training facility at McCoy Park in Downtown Columbus and upgrades to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field to accommodate a second professional soccer team.

In return for the city’s investment, Columbus will recoup its funds through a 2-percent ticket tax on all events held at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Franklin County’s contribution comes with a requirement that the ownership group provide $12 million in private donations over 12 years to support early childhood development programs and initiatives aimed at reducing food insecurity in the county. The county agreement stipulates that the team must remain in Columbus for a minimum of 25 years.

Ownership Group and Leadership

The ownership group is led by Haslam Sports Group, the majority owners of the Columbus Crew, with managing partners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, along with Whitney Haslam Johnson and J.W. Johnson. Additional stakeholders include Nationwide, Crew minority-owner Dr. Pete Edwards, and Dr. Christine Edwards. The group’s bid for the expansion franchise was the first to be publicly confirmed, positioning Columbus as a leading candidate throughout the selection process.

At the announcement, Commissioner Berman expressed enthusiasm about bringing the NWSL to Columbus, stating:

“I am really excited to officially share that Team 18 in the NWSL will be right here in Columbus, Ohio.”

She emphasized the league’s continued growth and the strategic importance of expanding into markets with strong soccer traditions and community support.

Timeline and Next Steps

Although the franchise has been awarded, the team will not begin competition until the 2028 NWSL season. Over the next two years, the ownership group will focus on finalizing branding, hiring front-office and coaching staff, and completing the development of the training facility at McCoy Park. The team’s name, colors, and logo have not yet been revealed.

With the award secured, Columbus becomes the latest major U.S. City to host a top-tier women’s professional soccer team, reinforcing the NWSL’s expansion into key markets across the country.