Stadiums
Location: Ohio, United States Team: Columbus Crew Built: 1999 Capacity: 19,968
Given that Columbus Crew are expected to move into their new $300 million stadium later this year, The Black and Gold’s 3-0 win against Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup final in December was a fitting way to play out one of their final games at the MAPFRE Stadium.
Previously known as the Columbus Crew Stadium, the 19,968-seater arena
will go down in history as Major League Soccer’s first soccer-specific stadium.
Having been built in only nine months at a cost of $28.5m in 1999, the MAPFRE Stadium has quickly fallen behind the quality of other newly built soccerspecific stadiums in the United States.
Once relocated to the New Columbus Crew Stadium, the club’s hierarchy plan to redevelop their current stadium into the team’s training centre, as well as a community sports park.
In addition to being the home of Columbus Crew, the MAPFRE Stadium will also be remembered for hosting several memorable international matches for both the United States men’s and women’s sides.