NWSL Awards Expansion Franchise to Columbus for 2028 Season

The National Women's Soccer League is bringing professional women's football to Columbus. The league announced Tuesday that Ohio's capital city has been awarded an expansion franchise, with the new club scheduled to begin play in 2028 as the league's 18th team.

Haslam Sports Group is spearheading the ownership consortium — the same organization that operates the NFL's Cleveland Browns and holds operating rights to Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew. Alongside insurance powerhouse Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards, the ownership structure demonstrates substantial financial backing and operational expertise.

Proven market with established football culture

Columbus represents a relatively safe expansion choice for the NWSL. The city has demonstrated consistent support for the Columbus Crew over many years, proving the market can sustain top-level football. This track record reduces the risk considerably compared to entering untested markets. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman characterized the move as "a natural next step" — a description that actually holds weight given the city's established football infrastructure.

The expansion side will call ScottsMiracle-Gro Field home and will enter the league alongside a new Atlanta-based club in 2028. With two franchises launching simultaneously, the NWSL's competitive balance and fixture congestion will increase noticeably. Existing clubs should pay attention to how this expansion affects squad depth requirements across the league.

Team branding remains undetermined. The league has committed to involving supporters throughout Ohio in selecting the club's name, crest, and colours — a sensible community-building approach that should help establish connections before the inaugural season.

  • Franchise location: Columbus, Ohio
  • First season: 2028
  • League total upon entry: 18 clubs
  • Home venue: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field
  • Ownership group: Haslam Sports Group, Nationwide, Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards

"We're excited to bring the world's most competitive women's soccer league to Columbus," Commissioner Berman stated. The ownership group now has four years to construct a competitive organization from the ground up. The countdown has officially begun.