By OkayGoal 
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) officially announced that they will be expanding to Columbus, Ohio in 2028. Columbus will be home to the 18th NWSL franchise.
Last November, the league declared Atlanta as the first 2028 expansion team. After the announcement, people suspected that the NWSL would add another expansion team as the last three NWSL expansion years featured two teams. Suspicions came true in late April when the league awarded the second 2028 expansion team.
“As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “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 newest NWSL franchise will be owned by Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards. All three parties are experienced in the Columbus soccer industry as they are all involved with Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. Additionally, HSG owns the National Basketball Association’s Milwaukee Bucks and National Football League’s Cleveland Browns.
“We’re very excited to partner with Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide for NWSL Columbus 2028,” said Dr. Christine Edwards to the NWSL. “We can’t wait to share even more memorable moments with fans.”
Columbus’s NWSL team will also share their home arena with the Crew. Both teams will play out of the ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, a soccer-specific stadium that opened in 2021.
While the Columbus community is excited to welcome another soccer team to their city, the NWSL is not the only womens sports league that is expanding to Ohio. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) recently announced that they will be expanding to Cleveland. The franchise is also set to begin play in 2028.
The NWSL’s 2028 expansion will serve as be the second expansion year under the most recent collective bargaining agreement. New franchises must now field their teams without college or expansion drafts, which has set a new precedent for the league.
Featured image via NWSL