You don’t need a ticket to North America’s biggest sporting event to be part of the action this summer.
As the FIFA World Cup unfolds across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Columbus is transforming into a soccer hub of its own, with dozens of watch parties, community celebrations, and special events planned throughout the tournament.
The Columbus Crew recently unveiled a packed schedule of World Cup watch parties that will bring matches to bars, breweries, public spaces, and gathering spots across Central Ohio from June through July. Whether you’re cheering for the United States, following your family’s home country, or simply looking for an excuse to spend an afternoon with fellow soccer fans, there will be no shortage of places to catch the action.
Three of the biggest events will center around Team USA’s group stage matches. Free public soccer celebrations are planned at Bridge Park in Dublin, Columbus Commons, and Land-Grant Brewing Company, giving fans a chance to gather and experience the tournament atmosphere together.
But the excitement goes well beyond the U.S. matches.
Watch parties are scheduled throughout the region at locations including Sidebar Downtown, The Little Grand Market, JT’s Pizza Grandview, Missing Jimmy’s, Trek Brewing Company, Bobcat Sports Bar, Boston’s Pizza, Endeavor Brewing, Woodlands Backyard, and dozens of other local venues.
The celebrations come at a time when Columbus continues to cement its reputation as one of America’s premier soccer cities.
The city will serve as the home base camp for Ecuador’s national team during the tournament, bringing one of the world’s top squads directly into the Central Ohio spotlight. Ecuador will also play a final World Cup preparation match against Guatemala at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field before the tournament begins.
Columbus’ soccer summer extends beyond the World Cup as well.
The city will host its first-ever NWSL match later this month when Gotham FC takes on the Kansas City Current in the Challenge Cup. It’s another milestone for a city that is preparing to welcome its own National Women’s Soccer League franchise in 2028.
Current Columbus Crew players Max Arfsten and Steven Moreira are expected to represent their countries on the sport’s biggest stage, while several former Crew standouts will also participate in the tournament.
With international soccer, local watch parties, national team events, and professional matches all happening over the next several weeks, Columbus fans won’t have to travel far to experience World Cup fever.
For more info, head over to columbuscrew.com.
