Columbus Sports Stories & Scoops

By the Numbers: March Madness in Columbus

By now you’ve heard the news. Columbus shows up. That’s the bottom line. Better put, that affects the bottom line. All told – Columbus projected to gain more than $9.4MM in direct visitor spend from hosting the first and second rounds men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments. For more on how…

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March Madness in Columbus

Game Times NCAA Men's March Madness is back in Columbus March 17 & 19. Eight teams will come to Nationwide Arena but only two will book their tickets to the Sweet 16. Here are the matchups for the First Round at Nationwide Arena on Friday, March 17: Session 1 - Friday, March 17 No. 7 Michigan State…

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Team Capsules - Women's March Madness in Columbus

The 2023 NCAA Women's March Madness comes to Columbus on March 18 & 20. The hometown Ohio State Buckeyes host the First and Second Rounds at The Schottenstein Center. Get to know the teams competing for a Sweet 16 berth. In 2027, Columbus hosts the Women's Final Four. Learn more about that event on…

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Columbus Will Run it Back in 2027

It’s time to Run it Back, Columbus! Like every great story in sports, ours is a comeback. The process to bring the Women’s Final Four to Columbus started with a lost bid in 2008. Ten years later, after regrouping and linking across public & private sectors, the city came together to host an…

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A Brief History of Women’s Basketball in Columbus, Ohio

Women’s basketball is growing fast. The WNBA, America’s top professional league, saw its TV ratings rise 19% in 2022 year over year. The league is celebrating their most viewed season in the 14 years on ESPN. On the college side, the NCAA rebranded the women’s tournament to match the men’s, changing…

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New Girls and Women's Sports Podcast: Starting IX-Up

(COLUMBUS, OH June 22, 2022) – The Greater Columbus Sports Commission will feature some of the most important female voices in local sports in a brand-new podcast launching June 22. As part of a yearlong celebration of Title IX and its impact on sports and society in Central Ohio and the nation, the…

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HBCU Basketball All-Star Game Coming to Columbus

As part of a five-day celebration of educational, multicultural and entreatment festivities this April, Columbus will host the College Basketball All-Star Game & Celebrity Extravaganza on Saturday, April 23 at Nationwide Arena. The College Basketball All-Star Game will feature top seniors from…

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Tune In to the NCAA DII Women’s Basketball Tournament in Columbus

March 2020 turned out to be anything but normal for Columbus sports, but this month is ramping up for the return of one of the Sports Commission’s most familiar hosted events. NCAA Women’s Basketball is back in Columbus beginning Friday, March 12, with the arrival of the NCAA Division II Women’s…

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Basketball is Back in Columbus with The Basketball Tournament

It’s been a long few months without live sports, but the wait is nearly over. The Basketball Tournament, or TBT, is bringing all the basketball action you’ve missed to Columbus next month! TBT is a winner-take-all tournament that allows 24 teams to compete for $1 million prize. Due to COVID-19…

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Women’s Final Four Memories: From Court to Career

The 2018 NCAA Women’s Final Four undoubtedly had a lasting impact on athletes and fans throughout Columbus. Following the three exhilarating games and countless special touches for student-athletes throughout the city, the elation of crowning of a new national champion at Nationwide Arena lives on…

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