Columbus-based OhioHealth has secured naming rights to the training facility of Columbus NWSL 2028, the city’s new National Women’s Soccer League club, and will serve as the team’s official healthcare provider.
The health system and the club unveiled renderings Oct. 27 of the OhioHealth Training Grounds. The 45,000-square-foot facility opens in January 2028 and will include three grass pitches, a weight room, locker rooms, and performance, wellness and rehabilitation space. Three synthetic turf fields for youth development and community programs will follow once the full site is complete.
As a founding partner, OhioHealth will provide sports medicine, healthcare and performance support for players at the training facility and at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. Its physicians will work alongside club staff led by Tim Bezbatchenko, Haslam Sports Group’s president of global soccer, and General Manager Lucy Rushton.
“Bringing professional women’s soccer to Columbus is about much more than what happens on the field,” said Steve Markovich, president and CEO of OhioHealth. Mr. Markovich said the health system’s sports medicine physicians will care for the athletes daily at the new facility.
The partnership also covers fan events and community health initiatives across Central Ohio. The facility will host additional international teams preparing for the Olympic soccer tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Games, which awarded Columbus nine matches. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Columbus landed the NWSL’s 18th franchise April 21. Haslam Sports Group, Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards own the club.
OhioHealth, a nonprofit 16-hospital system, has partnered with the MLS’ Columbus Crew since 1997 and has held naming rights to the Crew’s OhioHealth Performance Center since 2020.
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