Columbus World Cup watch parties will give central Ohio soccer fans a full summer schedule of free USA celebrations, international match gatherings and major soccer events while the Crew’s MLS calendar pauses until mid-July.
The Columbus Crew announced a summer watch party schedule tied to the FIFA tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. All listed times are local to Columbus, Ohio, in Eastern Time.
Columbus World Cup Watch Party Schedule
| Match / Event | Date & Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| USA vs. Paraguay | 9:00 PM, Friday, June 12, 2026 | Bridge Park, Dublin |
| USA vs. Australia | 3:00 PM, Friday, June 19, 2026 | Columbus Commons |
| USA vs. Turkiye | 10:00 PM, Thursday, June 25, 2026 | Land-Grant Brewing Company |
| Round of 32 Watch Parties | Sunday, June 28–Friday, July 3, 2026 | Central Ohio venues |
| Round of 16 Watch Parties | Sunday, July 5–Tuesday, July 7, 2026 | Central Ohio venues |
| Quarterfinal Watch Parties | Thursday, July 9–Saturday, July 11, 2026 | Central Ohio venues |
| Semifinal Watch Parties | 2:00 PM, Tuesday, July 14 & Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | Central Ohio venues |
| World Cup Final Celebration | 3:00 PM, Sunday, July 19, 2026 | Chase Plaza at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field |
Free USA Soccer Events Planned Across Central Ohio
The Crew’s free USA soccer celebrations are scheduled for three group-stage matches.
USA vs. Paraguay will be shown at 9:00 PM on Friday, June 12, 2026, at Dublin’s Bridge Park. USA vs. Australia is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Columbus Commons. USA vs. Turkiye will be held at 10:00 PM on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Land-Grant Brewing Company.
Other group-stage watch parties will feature international matchups at bars, breweries and public spaces across central Ohio.
Knockout-Round Events Continue Through the Final
Knockout-round watch parties begin on Sunday, June 28, 2026, with Round of 32 gatherings scheduled through Friday, July 3, 2026.
Round of 16 events will run from Sunday, July 5, through Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Quarterfinal watch parties are scheduled for Thursday, July 9, Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, 2026.
Semifinal events are planned for 2:00 PM on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, and 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The final celebration is scheduled for 3:00 PM on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at Chase Plaza at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
Columbus Adds More Soccer Events During the Summer
Columbus will also serve as Ecuador’s World Cup base camp. Ecuador is scheduled to face Guatemala in a final preparation match at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field at 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
The stadium will also host Gotham FC and the KC Current in the NWSL Challenge Cup at 8:00 PM on Friday, June 26, 2026, marking the first NWSL match in Columbus before the city’s new franchise begins play in 2028.
Six current or former Crew players are listed for World Cup participation. The Crew return to MLS action against New York City FC on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, before hosting FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
For Columbus soccer fans, the schedule keeps local venues active through the MLS break and turns central Ohio into a summer gathering point for World Cup, USA soccer, NWSL and Crew supporters.
