Historic Crew Stadium is getting a second act, and it’s bringing pro football back to Columbus.
Starting in 2026, the United Football League (UFL) will call the stadium home, introducing a brand new Columbus-based team to the league’s growing lineup.
While it’s not the NFL, the UFL has been carving out its own space in spring football, and Columbus is one of several markets the league is eyeing for a refresh. According to ESPN, UFL investor Mike Repole — the entrepreneur behind Vitaminwater, Smartwater, and BodyArmor — is leading a major shakeup, giving Columbus the nod as one of at least two teams set to relocate for next season.
He’s focused on fan experience and game-day energy, calling out empty seats in oversized stadiums as a problem the league is ready to solve. “You can hear a pin drop when someone runs 80 yards,” Repole told ESPN. “That’s not so good.”
That’s part of why Columbus was appealing.
With a capacity of 21,000 and a history of hosting high-energy events, Historic Crew Stadium offers a more intimate, electric vibe, something the league hopes to replicate across future expansions. Columbus Crew officials echoed that sentiment, saying the move is “a testament to the first-class fan experience” the stadium provides.
The team will mark the city’s first foray back into professional football since the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League, who last took the field in 2019. It also positions Columbus as a key market in the UFL’s long-term goal of growing to 16 teams within the next decade.
Games are expected to run from late March to early June, and while it’s still early days, one thing’s clear — spring football is about to be a lot more exciting in the 614.
Featured image via Historic Crew Stadium (Facebook)
