Columbus Crew announces details for Black & Gold Week, presented by Nationwide, ahead of 2023 Home Opener

COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew today announced that the Club is set to hold several events throughout Columbus as part of Black & Gold Week, presented by Nationwide, a week-long celebration that will take place in the leadup to the Crew’s home opener against D.C. United at Lower.com Field on Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Black & Gold Week kicks-off with fans in the Columbus area invited to join fellow supporters for the Opening Match Viewing Party at The Pub at Lower.com Field as the Crew hit the road and open the season against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, Feb. 25. Open to the general public beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. ET, the event will feature food and beverage specials, opportunities to win prizes and more. Season Ticket Members will receive additional benefits at the Opening Match Viewing Party.

Additionally taking place on Feb. 25 is the Crew’s Season Ticket Member Rookie Orientation at Lower.com Field from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET. New Crew Season Ticket Members will have the opportunity to meet their designated Ticket Representatives, pick up their 2023 season gift, and answer any questions they may have regarding their account in advance of Opening Day.

On Feb. 26, the Crew is hosting a session of the Futures Training Program at Historic Crew Stadium. Designed to provide individual skills sessions to complement a player’s current team training environment, the programming will be offered to previously registered boys and girls in the Under-9 through U-12 age groups. Select Columbus Crew Homegrown players are scheduled to attend.

Throughout the week, the city will be painted Black & Gold as iconic landmarks that make up the downtown Columbus skyline including the AEP Building, Leveque Tower, Short North arches and the Third Street underpass will light the night gold in anticipation of the home opener. Additionally, local businesses have been invited to, and have signed up to, take part in a window decorating contest to show their support for the Crew. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite window dressing for a chance to win tickets to the home opener.

Fans will have additional opportunities throughout the week to win a variety of prizes, including via the Black & Gold Week board game, where fans will be tasked with completing a series of Crew-related activities. Those who complete five challenges in a row will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a 2023 full team signed jersey. For fans looking to see the sights of Columbus, the Club will be holding a sweepstakes for a chance to win a spot on the Crewsmas Eve Trolley ride through town.

Wednesday, March 1 will serve as Community Day, with the Club hosting a clap-in at Avalon Elementary School (5220 Avalon Ave., Columbus, OH 43229). The clap-in will feature First Team players, community and business leaders, members of the Crew front office alongside Crew Cat and SC – the Club’s mascots – greeting and cheering on students as they arrive at school from 8-9:15 a.m. ET. The clap-ins are part of the partnership with Columbus City Schools and the Crew to promote improved school attendance as part of the "Stay in the Game! Keep Learning, Every Day" Network. In the lead-up to March 4, fans in Columbus will see several “Stay in the Game” billboards displayed throughout the month of February as the Club works to combat chronic absenteeism.

The Crew will celebrate Crewsmas Eve with supporters at various locations throughout the city on Black & Gold Friday. Crew supporters are encouraged to don their finest Crew apparel in a show of support on March 3.

The Black & Gold celebrate the return of Crewsmas -- the supporter-driven tradition of the first home match of the year -- during the home opener against D.C. United on Saturday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Nationwide will be providing the first 10,000 fans to enter Lower.com Field with Crew winter beanies. Fans are encouraged to arrive early with additional pre-match festivities to be announced.

Special ticket promotions for the March 4 home opener will be available throughout the week. Partial plans and single-game tickets for Crew matches at Lower.com Field are on-sale for the general public and are available here.

Soccer fans looking to experience Crew matches have a number of options as Season Ticket Membership for the 2023 season, which are currently on sale, includes benefits such as a subscription to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, exclusive, member-only events, a discount at the Crew Shop, monthly, interest free payment plans, the ability to purchase discounted parking, pre-sale access to all events at Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium and FirstEnergy Stadium, and a dedicated account manager and service representative. Fans interested in purchasing Season Ticket Memberships are encouraged to call 614-447-2739, email seasontickets@columbuscrew.com, or visit www.columbuscrew.com/tickets/memberships to get connected with a Season Ticket Member representative.