5 Shocking Secrets And Updates About Historic Crew Stadium You Need To Know In 2025

Historic Crew Stadium, a venue steeped in Major League Soccer (MLS) history, continues to evolve dramatically, with major updates and a new identity emerging in late 2025. Once the revolutionary home of the Columbus Crew, the stadium is now a dynamic multi-purpose venue and the centerpiece of an ambitious community revitalization project. Its story is one of transformation, from a pioneering soccer ground to a hub for major music festivals and a future sports park, ensuring its legacy remains central to the Columbus, Ohio, landscape.

As of December 15, 2025, the stadium’s role is more diverse than ever, hosting everything from professional reserve soccer to massive rock concerts. While the Columbus Crew moved to the state-of-the-art Lower.com Field in 2021, the 'Historic' designation is well-earned, preserving its status as the first soccer-specific stadium in the United States and a crucial site for US Men’s National Team history.

The Complete History and Name Evolution of a Soccer Pioneer

The history of this iconic venue is a timeline of innovation and shifting identities, reflecting the growth of soccer in North America. Understanding its various names and milestones is key to appreciating its current status.

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• Original Name & Opening (1999): Columbus Crew Stadium. It opened as the first-ever soccer-specific stadium in the United States, a groundbreaking moment for MLS.
• Original Cost and Design: The construction cost was approximately $28.5 million (around $53.8 million in 2024 dollars), designed by NBBJ, with engineering by Korda/Nemeth Engineering Inc. and construction by Corna/Kokosing Construction Co.
• Key Historical Moment: The stadium became the hallowed ground for the infamous "Dos A Cero" rivalry, hosting the US Men's National Team's victories over Mexico in World Cup Qualifying matches.
• First Naming Rights Change (2015): The stadium was renamed Mapfre Stadium.
• MLS Departure (2021): The Columbus Crew moved to their new home, Lower.com Field, marking the end of an era for the historic grounds.
• Current Designation (2021–Present): The venue was officially renamed Historic Crew Stadium to honor its pioneering legacy.
• Latest Naming Rights Update (2024): The Columbus Crew expanded their partnership with Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, renaming the iconic historic stadium to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

This constant evolution highlights the venue's adaptability, transitioning from a single-team home to a multi-use complex that supports the broader Columbus community and sports ecosystem.

Secret #1: It’s Now Home to the Next Generation of Champions

While the first team, the Columbus Crew, now plays downtown, Historic Crew Stadium is far from dormant. It serves a crucial role in developing future talent and maintaining a professional soccer presence.

The stadium is the official home of the Columbus Crew 2, the reserve team that competes in MLS NEXT Pro. This team made history by becoming the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro Cup champions, solidifying the stadium's continued relevance in professional soccer. This setup allows the stadium to host high-level matches while providing a more intimate and focused environment for player development.

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Furthermore, the venue is a massive draw for other sports. In a significant 2025 update, a spokesperson confirmed that a new United Football League (UFL) team will play its home games at Historic Crew Stadium, injecting new life and a different flavor of professional football into the grounds. The stadium is also a regular host for various amateur and professional sports, including lacrosse and rugby.

Secret #2: The 2025–2026 Concert Schedule is Massive and Unmissable

For many, the stadium is no longer primarily a soccer venue but a world-class concert and festival destination. Its capacity, which reaches up to 35,000 for festival layouts, makes it ideal for large-scale music events.

The venue has a storied history of hosting major music acts, including Kenny Chesney, Green Day, and Guns N' Roses. However, its reputation is now intrinsically linked with some of the biggest annual music festivals in the Midwest.

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• Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival: This is a major anchor tenant for the stadium’s event calendar. The 2026 schedule is already being promoted, with massive headliners like Tool, Megadeth, and My Chemical Romance expected to draw tens of thousands of fans over multiple days.
• Breakaway Music Festival: The stadium continues to host this popular festival, catering to a different genre and audience than the rock-focused events.
• Upcoming Events: Tickets and schedules for 2025 and 2026 events are actively being promoted, confirming the stadium's continued role as a premier entertainment venue in the region.

Secret #3: The Community Sports Park Transformation is Moving Forward

Perhaps the most significant long-term update is the planned transformation of the surrounding area into a massive community sports park. This project is the culmination of years of planning and is intended to solidify the venue's role as a public asset.

The City of Columbus has been providing updates on the ambitious plans, which will see the area around the stadium redeveloped into a multi-purpose sports and recreation hub. The planning process for this community sports park project has received key approvals, allowing the development to move forward. This initiative ensures that even as the stadium ages, the land it sits on will continue to serve the public through new facilities and green spaces.

Secret #4: It Was the Catalyst for a Multi-Billion Dollar Wave

The stadium’s impact extends far beyond its physical location. Its initial construction was not just a win for the Columbus Crew; it was a blueprint for the entire MLS.

The success of the first soccer-specific stadium in the US was a major catalyst for a massive wave of future soccer-related construction and renovation projects across the country. Experts estimate that the Historic Crew Stadium project sparked approximately $3 billion in subsequent soccer stadium development. This makes the venue a true historical landmark, not just for the team, but for the financial and architectural development of the league itself.

Secret #5: The Original Renovation Was a Bargain

Before the move to Lower.com Field, the stadium underwent several significant renovation and improvement projects to keep it modern and competitive. One notable period of upgrades cost approximately $34 million. Considering the value it provided to the team, the league, and the city for over two decades, this investment proved to be highly efficient and impactful, particularly when compared to the hundreds of millions spent on newer MLS venues.

From its initial groundbreaking design by NBBJ to its current role hosting Columbus Crew 2 and the Sonic Temple festival, Historic Crew Stadium—now ScottsMiracle-Gro Field—remains a powerful and evolving entity in American sports and entertainment. Its future as a community sports park ensures its legacy will continue for generations to come, proving that 'historic' doesn't mean 'finished'.