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There was an announced crowd of 11,369 at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on June 26 for Columbus' first National Women's Soccer League game.
As Gotham FC defeated the Kansas City Current 2-0 during the 2026 Challenge Cup, players experienced firsthand the atmosphere Columbus' NWSL team could draw once it debuts in 2028.
Columbus' first NWSL game: Rose Lavelle, Gotham FC win Challenge Cup during Columbus' first NWSL game
"When it’s a neutral location, I feel like you find that kind of hard," Gotham defender Emily Sonnett said. "But again, in Ohio, they love them some women’s sports."
On April 21, Columbus was awarded the NWSL's 18th franchise. The future team will play at the same stadium that hosted the Challenge Cup, which is also home to MLS's Crew and seats 20,371.
The Crew's average home crowd to this point in 2026 is listed at 19,650. While attendance at the rainy Challenge Cup matchup was less than that by more than 8,000 fans, turnout was still close to the NWSL's average.
"It’s around what we get in New York," Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell said. "And obviously, we always want to grow our crowds, but both teams aren’t from here, and to get that ... crowd is really cool."
The NWSL hit its highest average attendance of 11,250 in the 2024 season. In 2025, the league saw a 5% drop. Over two months into the 2026 season, the NWSL is averaging 10,932 in attendance.
Gotham is 12th out of 16 teams in attendance at 8,148.
Because the Columbus crowd was similar in size, Howell said she had reason to be impressed. She was also struck by the facilities.
"I think it’s a great place to have a team," Howell said. "Obviously it’s a world-class stadium. The pitch held up nice, especially in the rain. And it’s just really great to see good facilities, and hopefully, Columbus coming in with an NWSL team, the fans will come out, and the support will be there."
While Howell had never played in Columbus before the Challenge Cup, Gotham midfielders Jaedyn Shaw and Ohio native Rose Lavelle had been at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field for United States women's national team games.
Columbus hosted the SheBelieves Cup in 2024 and 2026. In both years, over 18,000 fans came out to watch the United States defeat Canada.
"I do feel like it was pretty comparable," Lavelle said. "Both games, the crowd was really into it. You can feel the momentum in the big moments."
More: Why Rose Lavelle believes playing NWSL Challenge Cup in Columbus is special
With Columbus having a little less than two years before its yet-to-be-named NWSL team takes the field, the organization has time to grow momentum and its fanbase.
However, according to veterans such as Current defender Izzy Rodriguez, who has seen two expansion teams join the league since her rookie season in 2022, Columbus already has a solid foundation to build on.
"Matching a lot of the crowds right now, which is a great sign to have a first game like that," Rodriguez said. "It’s not even home teams here. That’s incredible."
[email protected]
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NWSL players reflect on competing in Columbus for first time
Continue reading...
As Gotham FC defeated the Kansas City Current 2-0 during the 2026 Challenge Cup, players experienced firsthand the atmosphere Columbus' NWSL team could draw once it debuts in 2028.
Columbus' first NWSL game: Rose Lavelle, Gotham FC win Challenge Cup during Columbus' first NWSL game
"When it’s a neutral location, I feel like you find that kind of hard," Gotham defender Emily Sonnett said. "But again, in Ohio, they love them some women’s sports."
On April 21, Columbus was awarded the NWSL's 18th franchise. The future team will play at the same stadium that hosted the Challenge Cup, which is also home to MLS's Crew and seats 20,371.
The Crew's average home crowd to this point in 2026 is listed at 19,650. While attendance at the rainy Challenge Cup matchup was less than that by more than 8,000 fans, turnout was still close to the NWSL's average.
"It’s around what we get in New York," Gotham midfielder Jaelin Howell said. "And obviously, we always want to grow our crowds, but both teams aren’t from here, and to get that ... crowd is really cool."
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The NWSL hit its highest average attendance of 11,250 in the 2024 season. In 2025, the league saw a 5% drop. Over two months into the 2026 season, the NWSL is averaging 10,932 in attendance.
Gotham is 12th out of 16 teams in attendance at 8,148.
Because the Columbus crowd was similar in size, Howell said she had reason to be impressed. She was also struck by the facilities.
"I think it’s a great place to have a team," Howell said. "Obviously it’s a world-class stadium. The pitch held up nice, especially in the rain. And it’s just really great to see good facilities, and hopefully, Columbus coming in with an NWSL team, the fans will come out, and the support will be there."
You must be registered for see images attach
While Howell had never played in Columbus before the Challenge Cup, Gotham midfielders Jaedyn Shaw and Ohio native Rose Lavelle had been at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field for United States women's national team games.
Columbus hosted the SheBelieves Cup in 2024 and 2026. In both years, over 18,000 fans came out to watch the United States defeat Canada.
"I do feel like it was pretty comparable," Lavelle said. "Both games, the crowd was really into it. You can feel the momentum in the big moments."
More: Why Rose Lavelle believes playing NWSL Challenge Cup in Columbus is special
With Columbus having a little less than two years before its yet-to-be-named NWSL team takes the field, the organization has time to grow momentum and its fanbase.
However, according to veterans such as Current defender Izzy Rodriguez, who has seen two expansion teams join the league since her rookie season in 2022, Columbus already has a solid foundation to build on.
"Matching a lot of the crowds right now, which is a great sign to have a first game like that," Rodriguez said. "It’s not even home teams here. That’s incredible."
[email protected]
@brimackay15
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: NWSL players reflect on competing in Columbus for first time
Continue reading...
