COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew and ScottsMiracle-Gro Field will host the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup, presented by e.l.f., between the Kansas City Current and Gotham FC on Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m. ET. The match between two of NWSL’s top clubs for the first trophy of 2026 marks the league’s first game in Columbus since the top-tier women’s soccer league launched in 2013.
Tickets to the match are now on sale to the public and can be purchased here. Crew Season Ticket Members had access to a pre-sale that ran for one week leading up to the public on-sale.
“We’re proud to bring the NWSL to Columbus for the first time with the NWSL Challenge Cup this June,” said Crew President of Business Operations Mary Shepro. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase the growth of soccer and celebrate the incredible talent across both the men’s and women’s game during a landmark year for the sport in our city and across the country. With the support of our community partners, world-class facilities and passionate fans, Columbus continues to prove itself as a premier destination for major soccer events that leave a lasting impact on our sport and community.”
“The Challenge Cup brings together two outstanding clubs competing for a trophy and the opportunity to celebrate the highest level of women’s soccer,” said NWSL Chief Operating Officer Sarah Jones Simmer. “Columbus has long been one of the great soccer cities in the United States, and we’re thrilled to bring the NWSL here for the first time. We look forward to a great match between Gotham FC and the Kansas City Current at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.”
The match will streamed live on Prime Video.
The NWSL Challenge Cup is an annual super cup competition and celebratory showcase featuring league title winners from the previous year. In 2025, Gotham FC lifted its second NWSL Championship trophy in the past three seasons with a 1-0 win over the Washington Spirit, highlighted by Ohio native and U.S. Women’s National Team stalwart Rose Lavelle’s game-winning goal in the 80th minute. The Current recently claimed their first NWSL Shield with a league-best 21-3-2 record, becoming the fastest to clinch the honor by doing so with five matches remaining in the campaign.
The NWSL Challenge Cup is the most recent major soccer event to identify ScottsMiracle-Gro Field and Columbus as its ideal site. Since 2021, the Crew and the Heart of American Soccer have been selected to welcome two of the U.S. Men’s National Team’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers and a friendly against Japan in 2025; three USWNT competitions, including two SheBelieves Cup doubleheaders; the 2024 MLS All-Star Game; a Crew friendly against the English Premier League’s Aston Villa; and open training sessions for the EPL’s Chelsea and Manchester City. Additionally, based on the Club’s on-pitch success, the venue and city hosted the 2023 MLS Cup Final, the Leagues Cup 2024 Final and two Campeones Cups (2021 and 2024).
