The Columbus Crew SC are one of the founding members of Major League Soccer. From 1996 to 1999, Crew SC played at Ohio Stadium on Ohio State University’s campus. In 1999, Crew SC moved to their current home in MAPFRE Stadium.
MAPFRE Stadium is built for soccer—an important contrast from the team’s tenure at Ohio Stadium, which was too large and lacked necessary equipment for nighttime soccer games. The stadium started an important trend in MLS: teams have built soccer-specific stadiums to create an ideal fan experience. Soccer-specific stadiums generally have a smaller capacity compared to stadiums built for other sports (MAPFRE Stadium’s currently listed capacity for soccer is 19,968), and fans are seated closer to the pitch to create a more intimate experience.
The MLS Cup Finals have been played twice at MAPFE Stadium. In 2001, when MLS rules called for a neutral site, the stadium hosted the LA Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes. In 2015, after rules had changed to allow the team with the better regular season record to host the MLS Cup Final, Crew SC played against the Portland Timbers but lost by a score of 2-1.
In addition to Crew SC games, MAPFRE Stadium has also hosted numerous international soccer events, including group-stage matches during the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The US Men’s National team has played 12 matches at MAPFRE since 2000 and has only lost in one.
Because the stadium includes a permanent stage built into the north end section, it is a popular concert and music festival venue. It hosts the Rock on the Range Festival annually and has recently attracted groups like Metallica, The Offspring, and Korn. In 2017, the stadium hosts the Breakaway Music Festival, featuring headlining acts Diplo and Travis Scott. The stadium has a larger capacity (between 25,000 and 30,000) for concerts.
Frequently Asked Questions About MAPFRE Stadium Events and Tickets
What events are at MAPFRE Stadium?
MAPFRE Stadium hosts both concert and sporting events. See full MAPFRE Stadium schedule above.
How much are tickets at MAPFRE Stadium?
MAPFRE Stadium ticket prices on the secondary market can vary depending on a number of factors. Typically, MAPFRE Stadium tickets can be found for as low as $85.00 but can vary depending greatly depending on the event.
Where is MAPFRE Stadium?
MAPFRE Stadium is located at 1 Black and Gold Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43211.
