When Columbus Crew SC joined the Major League Soccer in 1996, not only was the club the first MLS franchise, but the team shortly after built the first soccer specific stadium in the country. Formerly known as Crew Stadium, MAPFRE Stadium officially opened in 1998.
Being host to Columbus’ professional soccer team, two major music festivals, local high school soccer and football games and much more, MAPFRE Stadium has been a staple in Columbus for 20 years. But with new ownership taking over the Crew in January, the promise of a new, downtown stadium was made.