Haslams Pitch New NWSL Facility on Columbus City Park Site

The Haslams want to build a National Women's Soccer League training facility at McCoy Park on the city's Southwest Side.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:05am

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The owners of the Columbus Crew and Cleveland Browns, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, have submitted a preliminary plan to the city of Columbus to build a new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) training facility on the site of McCoy Park, a 20-acre community park on the city's Southwest Side. The proposed facility would include three turf soccer fields, two natural grass fields, a new parking lot, and several buildings for locker rooms and other amenities.

Why it matters

The new NWSL facility could help Columbus' bid to host matches for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup. It would also provide a dedicated training home for a potential future NWSL team in Columbus, expanding the city's soccer infrastructure.

The details

The preliminary plan submitted by the Haslam Sports Group includes three turf soccer fields (two 70x100 yards, one 75x120 yards), two natural grass fields (75x120 yards), a half field, a new parking lot, and three proposed buildings for locker rooms and other facilities. The Crew have said they are working hard to bring an NWSL team to Columbus, and this facility would serve as its training home.

  • In March 2026, the Haslam Sports Group submitted a preliminary site plan to the city for the training facility.
  • The Crew told the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Organizing Committee that the women's soccer facility would be online by the time the Olympics come to Columbus.

The players

Dee and Jimmy Haslam

The controlling owners of the MLS Columbus Crew and the Cleveland Browns, who are pushing hard for the new NWSL facility.

Andrew Ginther

The mayor of Columbus, who is also supporting the push for the new NWSL facility.

Mary Shepro

The president of business operations for the Columbus Crew, who said the facility would be "first-class, best-in-class" for a potential NWSL team.

Kerry Francis

A spokesperson for the Columbus Recreation and Parks department, who said nothing is set yet regarding the park land.

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What they’re saying

“We've always said we can't guarantee that we'll have this second facility online, but we're working really hard to bring an NWSL team here. And if we do, they'll have a first-class, best-in-class training facility and so that will double the number of fields we have.”

— Mary Shepro, President of Business Operations, Columbus Crew

“When we told the Olympic committee about the facility, that got them pretty excited.”

— Mary Shepro, President of Business Operations, Columbus Crew

What’s next

The city of Columbus will need to decide whether to sell, lease, or give the McCoy Park land to the Haslam Sports Group for the proposed NWSL facility. The Crew also hope the new facility will help Columbus' bid to host matches for the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The takeaway

The Haslams' push for a dedicated NWSL training facility in Columbus is part of the city's broader efforts to expand its soccer infrastructure and position itself as a hub for women's professional soccer, potentially helping to land major events like the Olympics and World Cup.