Lower.com Field is a soccer-specific stadium in Columbus, Ohio, United States. It serves primarily as the home stadium of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer, replacing the club's previous home, Historic Crew Stadium. The new stadium cost $314 million and is located at the center of the mixed-use Astor Park development adjacent to the Arena District and downtown.[5] It seats 20,371 spectators and includes 30 suites and 1,900 club seats.
History
The stadium under construction, March 2021
Construction on the new stadium was originally scheduled to begin in the summer of 2019, but after delays,[6] groundbreaking was later rescheduled to October 10, 2019.[3] Upon completion of Lower.com Field, Historic Crew Stadium was redeveloped into the training center of Columbus Crew.[7]
On June 15, 2021, the Crew announced that Columbus-based online mortgage lender Lower.com had purchased the naming rights to the stadium; per team policy, terms were not disclosed.[8]
The first game in Lower.com Field was on July 3, 2021, and resulted in a 2–2 draw between the Crew and the New England Revolution. Parts of the stadium were still under construction at the time.[5][9] The first goal in stadium history was scored by Tajon Buchanan of New England; Columbus' first goal was scored by Gyasi Zardes during the same match.[10] On July 17, 2021, the Crew earned their first win at Lower.com Field with a 2–1 victory over New York City FC.[11]
The stadium is owned by the Confluence Community Authority (CCA), a special district governed by the City of Columbus and Franklin County. The Crew have a 30-year lease with the CCA with an annual rent of $10 and an option to purchase the stadium outright in 2047 for 30 percent of its market value.[12]
