Roger Hampel
FOT: MLS
Major League Soccer (MLS) is taking its annual All-Star game back to its roots. In a recent announcement, the MLS disclosed that the 2024 All-Star Game will be held at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, the home of the Columbus Crew. The highly anticipated game is scheduled for July 17, 2024, with the opponent yet to be announced.
This event will not be the first time Columbus has played host to the league’s showcase event. It was here that the midsummer classic was celebrated twice before, in 2000 and 2005. However, it will be the first time for the All-Star game and the accompanying All-Star Skills Challenge to be held at Lower.com Field, which opened in July 2021.
Columbus Crew's season ticket holders can rest easy, as priority pre-sale access for the All-Star game has been assured. Moreover, fans worldwide will have the opportunity to witness the match in over 100 countries and regions, thanks to the MLS Season Pass via the Apple TV app.
The All-Star game is just a part of the week-long festivities planned for Columbus. In addition to the game itself, the Crew and the City of Columbus will host a week-long celebration, including concerts, fan events, community programming, and additional soccer competitions. The highlight among these will be the 2024 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge, presented by AT&T 5G.
The Lower.com Field, located in the mixed-use development of Astor Park in Downtown Columbus, has earned a reputation as a premier international venue. The stadium, which includes top-tier hospitality spaces and a safe-standing Nordecke supporters' section, was introduced to the public in 2023.
Speaking on the decision, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, “We are pleased to award the 2024 All-Star Game to Columbus, the third All-Star Game for this terrific soccer city. Columbus and Lower.com field will be a tremendous host for the MLS All-Star Game and festivities.”
Columbus Crew's owners, Dee and Jimmy Haslam, expressed their enthusiasm about hosting the All-Star game, emphasizing the event as an exceptional opportunity to showcase Lower.com Field and the city's hospitality and growth.
At the helm for next year’s All-Star Game will be Wilfried Nancy, the eighth full-time head coach in club history. He was named the Black & Gold’s head coach in December 2022 and was a finalist for the 2022 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year Award.
Comments