If you want to watch some exciting women’s sports in one of the best cities to visit in the fall by USA Today 10Best, look no further than Columbus. The air is crisp, the foliage is amazing, and so is the women’s sports scene. From all different levels of volleyball, soccer and basketball, and field hockey, here’s an itinerary to make the most of a fall weekend in Ohio’s capital city centered around playing and watching women’s sports. 

 

Women’s Volleyball

Aug. – Nov. | 5 College Teams 
The Covelli Center, home to the Ohio State Buckeyes, is one of the best underrated arenas in the city. The facility can hold up to 3,700 fans, and the atmosphere is awesome. The prices are family friendly as well. It’s the perfect opportunity to cheer on another Buckeye team on Saturdays.  
>> Get Tickets 
 

Ohio Wesleyan, Ohio Dominican, Capital and Otterbein all have women’s volleyball teams as well, so you’re bound to find a home game any fall weekend in Columbus. Denison University is not too far from the city, and it also has a women’s volleyball team.  

 

Women’s Basketball 

Nov. – March | 5 College Teams 
If you come to Columbus towards the end of the fall, you’ll catch the start of women’s basketball season. The Ohio State women’s basketball team is consistently on top of the NCAA and are always fun to watch in the iconic Schottenstein Center. Like volleyball, Ohio Wesleyan, Ohio Dominican, Capital and Otterbein all have successful women’s basketball programs.  
>> Get Tickets 


The Columbus City School district includes 21 high schools, each of which have their own women’s basketball team. Almost every high school within the greater Columbus area also has a women’s basketball team. Their seasons usually begin in November as well.  

 

Women’s Ice Hockey

Oct. – March | 1 College Team
The Buckeyes have won a pair of National Championships during their four straight trips to the Frozen Four. The PWHL has Ohio State alums on every roster, with six more joining the ranks in the 2025 draft. The OSU Ice Rink is their home and they've treated it like a fortress, going 78-11-3 from 2021-22 through 2024-25. 
>> Get Tickets 
 

Women’s Soccer 

Aug. – Nov. | 5 College Teams 
Women’s Soccer is one of the first sports that kick off the fall season and the new school year. Ohio State Women’s Soccer begins with exhibition games in the first week of August every year with its regular season wrapping up in October. Ohio State Women’s soccer matches are free to attend.  

Every November, the OHSAA Girls State Championship is at Historic Crew Stadium. And in 2025 and 2026, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Women’s Soccer Championship is also at Historic Crew Stadium. 

  

Field Hockey  

Aug. – Nov. | 2 College Teams 
Field Hockey isn’t played in every state, but it is a popular sport for collegiate and high school athletes in Ohio. Ohio State and Ohio Wesleyan are the only Columbus colleges with the sport, but if you’re looking for a new sport to watch, this is a great one. Ohio State plays at Buckeye Varsity Field, and Ohio Wesleyan plays at Selby Stadium.  

  

Watch Big Games with Watch Women Win C-Bus 

Watch Women Win is a group that supports women’s sports nationally and in the Columbus area. They were founded in February 2025 and focus on 3 main pillars: sports, community, and bringing people together. Some events that they hold include fundraisers, raffles, and watch parties. You can check out their upcoming events on their website below or on their Instagram.
>> Learn More 

  

Get Out and Play 

If you prefer to get out and play instead of just watching women’s sports, there are also plenty of options to be active with your crew.  

  • There are so many sporty things to do in Columbus. Paddle the Scioto River before the weather gets too cold or enter one of the many fall races located in the city.   
  • Fall is one of the best times of the year to golf. If you want to try a new course in the Columbus area or just want to get a few more rounds in, check out some of the best the Cbus has to offer here.  
  • Pickleball is still one of the fastest growing sports, and you can find a court in almost any sector of the city now. If it is a particularly chilly fall day, but you still want to get active, there are many indoor pickleball courts to play at!  
  • There’s nothing wrong with some good old-fashioned cardio! Columbus has lots of pretty fall sights and sounds to view while you run, especially in the downtown area.  

  

Eat & Drink 

Before you head to the big game, stop by some of these women-owned bars and restaurants.

 

Brothers Drake Meadery and Bar 

Brothers Drake uses local, natural honey to craft modern mead in a wide variety of flavors and drynesses, so there is something for everyone. Their Apple Pie mead that is the epitome of fall. If you’re looking for something else to do other than the game and want to learn more about mead and how they make it, you can schedule a tour of their facility and learn more about their business while sampling different flavors.
 

Olde Town Tavern

Olde Town Tavern is a great neighborhood spot to grab a bite to eat and a drink before a game. On Friday, you’ll find a special lasagna dinner on their menu, and on Saturday, the special is a chicken burrito. If you need a late-night bite after the game too, no worries! They are open until 2:30am every night.  

  

Chocolate Café 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this restaurant has some of the best chocolate in the city since it’s in their name. However, the Chocolate Cafe serve more than just that. They also have coffee, soups, salads, sandwiches, martinis, wine, and more desserts! 

  

Maker’s Social

If you consider yourself a crafty person, stop by Maker’s Social where you can use your creative side making jewelry, purses, wallets, a flight board, and so much more while sipping a cocktail. If you’re not a crafty person, no problem! No experience is required for any of their projects. It’s just a place to come together, have fun, build community, and make something cool!