#10 Columbus
▶ RÉSUMÉ: Annual events include the PGA Tour The Memorial Tournament Presented by Workday (since 1976). Other recent events: 2017 and 2021 NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championships; 2018 Division I NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four; 2018 SheBelieves Cup; 2019 Buckeye Elite Showcase Tournament; 2019 and 2023 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball first and second rounds; 2019 Division II Women’s Basketball Championship; 2019 USA Fencing National Championships and July Challenge; 2021 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship; 2021 USA Volleyball Girls’ 18s Junior National Championships; U.S. Soccer Federation USA vs. Costa Rica (2021) and USA vs. El Salvador (2022); 2023 USA Racquetball National Intercollegiate Championships; 2023
USA Swimming Speedo Winter Jr. West Championships; 2023 USA Volleyball Girls 18s National Championship; 2023 USA Weightlifting North American Open Series and National University Championships; and 2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
RECENT WINS: April’s SheBelieves Cup presented by Visa finals; 2024 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Final Four; 2024 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics
Championships; 2024 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Fencing Championships; 2024 MLS All-Star Game; 2024 USA Adult Volleyball Open Championships; 2025 NCAA Men’s Volleyball Final Four; NCAA Division I Men’s (2025) and Women’s (2026) Golf Regionals; and 2027 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four.
▶ FORWARD PROGRESS: The 180room Hollywood Casino Columbus that broke ground in November is one of four hotels, with a total of about 470 rooms, that are under construction. The board of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority in January approved $250 million in funding toward a $2 billion expansion of John Glenn International Airport. Ground is expected to be broken early next year and the new terminal to open by early 2029.
Ohio State University is actively involved with the recruitment of events and its venues are frequently used by non-Buckeye competitions. For example, the NHL announced in February that the Stadium Series is coming to Columbus for the first time. The Columbus Blue Jackets will take on the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium on March 1, 2025.
▶ STAY AND PLAY: There are four professional teams and three venues in the Arena District where visitors can take advantage of the neighborhood’s DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) and grab a walkaround beverage from designated restaurants. Experience the city’s German heritage and hit the brick streets of German Village for Schmidt’s Sausage Haus.