**Columbus Welcomes New NWSL Team After Record-Breaking Expansion Deal**

April 22, 2026 - 04:07

A major new chapter for professional women's soccer was written as the National Women's Soccer League officially granted an expansion franchise to Columbus, Ohio. The team will be operated by an ownership group spearheaded by the Haslam Sports Group, the same family ownership behind the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.

The landmark deal, reported to be a record-setting expansion fee, underscores the soaring value and commercial growth of the NWSL. This investment marks a significant moment for the league as it continues its strategic national expansion.

Scheduled to begin competition in the 2028 season, the yet-to-be-named club will bring top-tier women's soccer to a city with a proven and passionate soccer fanbase. The move solidifies Columbus as a true soccer capital, joining a select group of cities hosting both a prominent MLS team and an NWSL franchise.

League officials celebrated the announcement, highlighting the ownership group's deep community ties and proven operational expertise in professional sports. The addition brings the NWSL to eighteen teams, with further expansion plans already on the horizon for the coming years. This development promises to fuel even greater competition and visibility for the sport nationwide.