Lower.com Field

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Lower.com Field
Lower.com Field logo.svg
Lower.com Field Interior July 3 2021.jpg
Interior of the stadium as seen in 2021
USA Ohio relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Lower.com Field
Location in Ohio
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Lower.com Field
Location in the United States
Former namesNew Crew Stadium (prior to opening)
Address96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus, Ohio [1]
Coordinates 39°58′6.46″N83°1′1.52″W / 39.9684611°N 83.0170889°W / 39.9684611; -83.0170889
OwnerConfluence Community Authority (CCA)
Operator Columbus Crew
Type Soccer-specific stadium
Capacity 20,371
Field size115 × 75 yards
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundOctober 10, 2019 [2] [3]
OpenedJuly 3, 2021
Construction cost$314 million
Architect HNTB [4]
Tenants
Columbus Crew (MLS) (2021–present)
Website
lowerfieldcbus.com

Lower.com Field is a soccer-specific stadium in Columbus, Ohio, United States. It serves primarily as the home stadium of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, replacing the club's previous home, Historic Crew Stadium. The new stadium cost $314 million and is located at the center of the mixed-use Astor Park development adjacent to the Arena District and downtown. [5] It seats 20,371 spectators and includes 30 suites and 1,900 club seats.

Contents

History

The stadium under construction, March 2021 Columbus, Ohio JJ 90.jpg
The stadium under construction, March 2021

Construction on the new stadium was originally scheduled to begin in the summer of 2019, but after delays, [6] groundbreaking was later rescheduled to October 10, 2019. [3] Upon completion of Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium was redeveloped into the training center of Columbus Crew. [7]

On June 15, 2021, the Crew announced that Columbus-based online mortgage lender Lower.com had purchased the naming rights to the stadium; per team policy, terms were not disclosed. [8]

The first game in Lower.com Field was on July 3, 2021, and resulted in a 2–2 draw between the Crew and the New England Revolution. Parts of the stadium were still under construction at the time. [5] [9] The first goal in stadium history was scored by Tajon Buchanan of New England; Columbus' first goal was scored by Gyasi Zardes during the same match. [10] On July 17, 2021, the Crew earned their first win at Lower.com Field with a 2–1 victory over New York City FC. [11]

The stadium is owned by the Confluence Community Authority (CCA), a special district governed by the City of Columbus and Franklin County. The Crew have a 30-year lease with the CCA with an annual rent of $10 and an option to purchase the stadium outright in 2047 for 30 percent of its market value. [12]

Major events

Men's club matches

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2TournamentSpectators
September 29, 2021 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 2–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Cruz Azul 2021 Campeones Cup 18,026
October 8, 2022 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 2 4–1 Flag of the United States.svg St. Louis City 2 2022 MLS Next Pro Cup 7,446
October 22, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 2 1–3 Flag of the United States.svg Austin FC II 2023 MLS Next Pro Cup 7,500
December 9, 2023 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 2–1 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC MLS Cup 2023 20,802
July 24, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg MLS All-Stars1–4 Flag of Mexico.svg Liga MX All-Stars 2024 MLS All-Star Game 20,931
July 27, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 4–1 Flag of England.svg Aston Villa Friendly20,218
August 25, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 3–1 Flag of the United States.svg Los Angeles FC 2024 Leagues Cup final 20,190
September 25, 2024 Flag of the United States.svg Columbus Crew 1–1
(4–5 p)
Flag of Mexico.svg América 2024 Campeones Cup 20,198

International matches

Men's matches

USMNT vs Costa Rica, WC qualifying, Oct 13, 2021, pre-match Pre-match before USMNT v Costa Rica during 2022 World Cup qualifying.jpeg
USMNT vs Costa Rica, WC qualifying, Oct 13, 2021, pre-match
DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2TournamentSpectators
October 13, 2021Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2–1Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – CONCACAF third round 20,165
January 27, 2022Flag of the United States.svg  United States 1–0Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 20,000

Women's matches

DateTeam #1ResultTeam #2TournamentSpectators
April 9, 2022Flag of the United States.svg  United States 9–1Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan Friendly12,071
April 9, 2024Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 1–1
(0–3 p)
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2024 SheBelieves Cup 12,001
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2–2
(5–4 p)
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 19,049

See also

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References

  1. "A-Z Guide for Matchday and Stadium Policies". ColumbusCrew.com. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  2. "City council approves Crew SC stadium development". WBNS-TV . Tegna. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Crew SC Communications (September 17, 2019). "SAVE THE DATE: Columbus Crew SC to break ground for new stadium on Oct. 10 in open-to-the-public ceremony". Columbus Crew SC. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  4. "Columbus Crew MLS Stadium". HNTB. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Myers, Jacob (March 24, 2021). "It's a date: new Crew Stadium will open July 3 against New England". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  6. "Columbus Crew SC's downtown stadium construction to start in summer of 2019". ESPN.com. January 9, 2019.
  7. "Plan calls for $230M Columbus Crew stadium in the Arena District, anchoring new mixed-use development". Columbus Business First. December 6, 2018.
  8. "Introducing Lower.com Field: Columbus Crew announces long-term stadium naming rights partnership with Lower". ColumbusCrew.com. June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  9. Sigal, Jonathan (June 7, 2019). "Columbus Crew president: New stadium won't open until summer of 2021". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  10. Sigal, Jonathan (July 3, 2021). "Recap: Columbus Crew 2, New England Revolution 2". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  11. Myers, Jacob. "Columbus Crew holds on to first-ever win at new stadium, Zelarayan scores free-kick winner". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  12. Bush, Bill (October 4, 2022). "Crew's rent for Lower.com Field only $10 a year, but team still late with payments". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Columbus Crew

2021 – present
Succeeded by
current