THE NATION'S CAPITAL FOR WOMEN'S SPORTS
New Initiative Announced
Aspiration that Columbus will Emerge as Nation's Capital for Women's Sports
During the 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Ginther declared an aspiration shared with First Lady Shannon Ginther that Columbus will emerge as the Nation’s Capital for Women’s Sports. This vision will be pursued in partnership with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission.
- The initiative will have four focus areas:
- Keep young girls and women in sports
- Grow women’s sports fandoms, teams and events based and hosted in Columbus
- Cultivate the next generation of female business and civic leaders
- Drive innovation in women’s sports and investment in sports-related businesses
Through this initiative, Columbus will create opportunities for individuals and also position Columbus as a national leader in women’s sports. This pursuit will reach an inflection point in 2027 when we host the NCAA Women’s Final Four and DI Women’s Volleyball Championship. More information will be shared later this spring as the partnership and funding is formalized. Stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter.
Cultivating Opportunity Through Women’s Athletics
GAME CHANGERS, HISTORY MAKERS, OUR TRAILBLAZERS
Elevating Women & Girls in Sports
Part of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission's DNA
Columbus has always championed girls and women in sports, standing out as a city dedicated to athletic growth, community building, and equal opportunity. Even before it became widely celebrated, Columbus was setting the stage for women athletes, offering platforms where they could compete and thrive. From the Sports Commission's founding in 2002, we've sought to elevate women's sports in new ways. We believe in women's sports and the power they have to inspire young girls to be what they see. Here are a few examples of our work:
- Columbus was the first city to wrap team buses in school branding for both the Women's Final Four (2018) and the DI Women's Volleyball Championship (2021)
- The 2018 Women's Final Four was an advance sellout, featuring three incredible games highlighted by a title-winning buzzer-beater
- Columbus set the then-record attendance figure with 18,755 fans at the 2021 DI Women's Volleyball Championship Final
Image Credits:
Jacy Sheldon: John Mac, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Abby Steiner: Erik van Leeuwen (bron: Wikipedia). - Zenfolio - Erki Pictures, GFDL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121190757
Annette Echikunwoke: Habst, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Keana Hunter and Ruby Remati: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/8/12/general-buckeyes-win-five-medals-at-paris-olympics
Eleanor Harvey: © Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons
All Images from Making Headlines: © Columbus Dispatch
OUR TEAMS

Columbus Fury: The Future of Women’s Professional Sports in Columbus
The Columbus Fury, part of the Pro Volleyball Federation, is igniting a new era of women’s professional sports in Columbus. Launching in 2024 at Nationwide Arena, the Fury has already captured attention with its world-class roster, passionate ownership group—including Ohio natives Jimmy, Robin, and Joe Burrow—and a commitment to delivering thrilling volleyball action. This groundbreaking team is not just about the game; it represents Columbus's potential as a leading hub for women's professional sports.
Columbus Pride (PUL, inactive for 2024)
A Legacy of Women’s Sports Excellence
Columbus has a storied history with women’s professional sports, beginning with the Columbus Pacesetters, who were trailblazers in softball during the 1970s. In the late 1990s, the Columbus Quest dominated the American Basketball League, earning two championships and leaving an enduring legacy. Teams like the Columbus Comets and Columbus Chaos added to this tradition with their contributions to women’s football.
Why Columbus is Ideal for Women’s Teams
Columbus’s thriving sports culture, central location, and supportive community create the perfect environment for women’s professional teams to flourish. With its passionate fanbase, corporate backing, and facilities like Nationwide Arena, the city is primed for additional ventures. Discussions around attracting a WNBA team highlight the strong appetite for expanding women’s sports here.
Upcoming
Greater Columbus Sports Foundation
Supporting the development of amateur athletes and facilitating competition as a platform for positive social impact.
Volunteer
Register to volunteer at local events through the Sports Commission.
Community Cup
September 12, 2025 at Fortress Obetz
Community Youth Camp and Clinics
Kids play more than a dozen sports, learning the basics and having fun.