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The NWSL has awarded its newest franchise to Columbus, Ohio, led by the Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide Insurance. This marks the league's 18th club and comes with a $205 million expansion fee.
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COLUMBUS, OHIO - APRIL 21: (From Left) Dr. Christine Edwards, Whitney Haslam, NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther, Shanon Ginther and Kirt Walker, CEO of Nationwide Insurance, pose for a photograph following an announcement of a new NWSL team in Columbus at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on April 21, 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/NWSL via Getty Images) | NWSL via Getty Images
The officially NWSL announced on Tuesday morning that they have named Columbus, Ohio, as the next destination for their newest expansion club. It will be the 18th club to enter the NWSL, and will reportedly cost a $205 million expansion fee.
The Haslam Sports Group lead the ownership group along with the Columbus-based insurance company, Nationwide, and fellow Columbus Crew owners Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards. HSG also owns controlling stakes in the MLSâ Columbus Crew, the NFLâs Cleveland Browns and the NBAâs Milwaukee Bucks.
âOur family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,â said Haslam Sports Group Managing Partner Whitney Haslam Johnson in a statement. âWe believe in the power of womenâs sports and are humbled to be part of the number one womenâs soccer league in the world. Sports are one of todayâs greatest unifiers and are incredible for their communities. The NWSL will have a significant impact on Columbus within and beyond sports, now and for future generations.â
The expansion fee for the new NWSL team in Columbus is reportedly $205 million.
The new NWSL franchise in Columbus is owned by the Haslam Sports Group, Nationwide Insurance, and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.
The new NWSL team in Columbus was officially announced on April 21, 2026.
With the Columbus expansion, there will be a total of 18 teams in the NWSL.

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The new club is expected to begin play by the 2028 season, and will share ScottsMiracle-Gro field with the Columbus Crew.
âColumbus is very important to our family. For over 30 years, weâve supported the Columbus Crew and MLS. Weâve seen how a menâs professional soccer team has brought people together and created a positive impact in our community,â said Dr. Christine Edwards, member of the Crew ownership group that helped keep the club alive in the city. âItâs truly special to now welcome an NWSL club and the incredible women athletes who will also uplift our city on and off the pitch.â
âAs the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in womenâs sports, said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in a statement. âWeâre excited to bring the worldâs most competitive womenâs soccer league to Columbus and to see this community embrace the game in a new way.â
The club was also required, according to Berman, to include plans for a training facility to be exclusively used by the club as part of their bid for the expansion franchise. The facility will be built on land previously designated for a local park, but the Columbus City Council instead approved $25 million to go toward the project for the new teamâs facility.
The NWSL 17th expansion franchise in Atlanta, will be owned by Arthur Blank who also owns an NFL and MLS franchise in the Atlanta Falcons, and Atlanta United. That club sold for a reported $165 million expansion fee and is also expected to begin play in 2028.