Columbus Is Getting an NWSL Team in 2028, and the League Just Made a Statement About Women's Soccer in America
The NWSL dropped some serious news on Tuesday: Columbus is officially getting an expansion franchise, becoming the league's 18th member when it kicks off in 2028. This isn't just another team announcement. This is the Haslam Sports Group, the ownership group behind the Cleveland Browns and Columbus Crew, betting big on women's soccer at the highest level. That's the kind of commitment that signals the league is here to stay.
A City Ready for Elite Women's Soccer
Columbus has the soccer pedigree to back this up. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman put it plainly: "As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women's sports." The squad will play at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, a 20,000-seat venue that's already proven it can host world-class women's soccer. The U.S. Women's National Team has played 13 matches there, going 10-1-2, including a win in the 2024 SheBelieves Cup final. That's the kind of track record that matters.
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Columbus won't be alone. Atlanta was awarded a franchise last November and will also join the league in 2028. Meanwhile, this season just saw Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC debut, so the league is expanding faster than ever. Whitney Haslam Johnson, managing partner of Haslam Sports Group, made the stakes clear: "We believe in the power of women's sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women's soccer league in the world."
The Columbus team will eventually pick its official name, colors, and crest with fan input across Ohio. That's smart business: let the community own this from day one. The NWSL isn't just dropping teams into cities anymore. It's building franchises with real ownership, real investment, and real staying power. Columbus is proof the league is expanding smart.
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