The MLS All-Star Game is coming back to Columbus on July, 17 2024. It will be the first All-Star Game at Lower.com Field, and the third in city history. Historic Crew Stadium hosted it in 2000 and 2005.  

The week will be packed with things to do and see in Columbus, like concerts, skills challenges, the MLS Next All-Star Game and other community events. It’s expected to generate up to $20 million in economic impact for the city. 
 

Soccer City

Despite opening less than two years ago, Lower.com Field has already hosted several big matches outside of the MLS regular season, including two FIFA Men’s World Cup Qualifiers. 

  • Crew vs. Cruz Azul | Campeones Cup – September 2021 

  • USMNT vs. Costa Rica | World Cup Qualifier – October 2021  

  • USMNT vs. El Salvador | World Cup Qualifier – January 2022 

  • USWNT vs. Uzbekistan | Friendly – April 2022 

  • Big Ten Women’s Soccer Championship – November 2022 and 2023

  • Crew vs. LAFC | MLS Cup - December 2023

We’re biased, but we believe Columbus is a top soccer city in the U.S. Check out more of the beautiful game’s history in central Ohio on our Soccer in Columbus page. It’s full of fun facts like this one: the USMNT has nine World Cup Qualifying wins in Columbus, more than any other city. 

 

All-Star Games in Columbus 

The 2000 MLS All-Star Game was a high-scoring affair with the East beating the West 9-4. In 2005, MLS All-Stars faced off vs. a European club for the first time, with English Premier League team Fulham crossing the pond. The MLS All-Stars won 4-1.  

For a sneak peek at 2024, check out this year’s All-Star Game on July 19 vs. Arsenal on Apple TV+. 

Columbus has also hosted All-Star games for two other leagues. The NHL All-Star Game was played at Nationwide Arena in 2015. The Triple-A Baseball All-Star Game has been here twice – at Cooper Stadium in 1989 and more recently at Huntington Park in 2018.  

 

Packed Sports Schedule in 2024 

The MLS All-Star Game joins a list of big-time soccer matches and other sports events coming to Columbus in 2024: 

  • July 23: MLS All-Star Skills Challenge

  • July 24: MLS All-Star Game

  • July 27: Crew vs. Aston Villa

  • August 3: Manchester City vs. Chelsea


What They Said

A few select quotes from the announcement:

"A crown jewel event in a crown jewel city" - Don Garber, MLS Commissioner

 

"We want to show the world the hospitality of Columbus and all the great, passionate supporters we have." - Dee Haslam


“It's big for Ohio. It's big for Columbus. We'll have the opportunity for [fans], not only just to see the soccer match, but for them to explore Columbus and then go back home and talk about it.”  - Governor Mike DeWine