COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The celebrations for Ohio State’s national championship began as soon as the game ended Monday night in Atlanta, with fans entering and storming the field at Ohio Stadium, and they’ll continue at least through this weekend here in Columbus.
Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to win college football’s first national championship under a 12-team playoff. The team returned to Columbus on Tuesday afternoon and fans welcomed the team in the freezing cold at their practice facility.
Ohio State fans react to the Buckeyes National Championship early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025 (NBC4) 
ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 20: Ohio State players celebrate with the winning trophy following the conclusion of the the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
Buckeyes fans wait outside Woody Hayes Athletic Center for the football team after its national championship win. (NBC4 Photo / Delaney Ruth) 
Ohio State fans react to the Buckeyes National Championship early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025 (NBC4) 
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: The Ohio State Buckeyes players along with Head Coach Ryan Day on the podium with National Championship trophy after the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 20: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye celebrates after the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
Ohio State fans react to the Buckeyes National Championship early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025 (NBC4) 
ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 20: Ohio State players celebrate with the winning trophy following the conclusion of the the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
Ohio State fans react to the Buckeyes National Championship early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2025 (NBC4) 
ATLANTA, GA JANUARY 20: Defensive End Jack Sawyer #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes and teammate JT Tuimoloau #44 celebrate with the winning trophy following the conclusion of the the Ohio State Buckeyes versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff National Championship game on January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after throwing a pass for a first down against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the fourth quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) 
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: The Ohio State Buckeyes bench reacts after a field goal against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the fourth quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
In the hours after the game, several hundred students and fans descended upon Ohio Stadium and many more emptied out into High Street.
Shortly after midnight, fans gathered in front of the rotunda at the north end of the stadium and walked inside to celebrate on the field in the wake of the team’s ninth college football title. The win made fans quickly forget about when the outlook didn’t look so promising just a couple of months ago.
“We didn’t beat Michigan. Who cares? Who cares? We won the national championship,” said one fan. “We are the winners of college football. Who cares if we didn’t beat Michigan? We are the winners. We are champions. That’s all that matters.”
Police say damage was limited to some furniture and a trash can being burned in the Short North.
Reaction spread quickly across the state and beyond with several congratulatory sentiments shared via social media.
Gov. Mike DeWine
One social media post on X wasn’t good enough for Gov. Mike DeWine, who posted one of his own and shared one by Ohio State Football within four minutes.
“CONGRATULATIONS to the National Champion OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!”
“The Buckeyes are national champions! Way to go @OhioStateFB!! #GoBucks”
Columbus Crew
The Crew, no strangers to championships, having won their third MLS title in 2023 and first Leagues Cup title in August, sent out their congratulatory message shortly after the CFP score was final.
“Columbus Is For Champions. Congratulations to @OhioStateFB on becoming National Champions for the ninth time. You wrote your own story and created history for our city.”
Seth McLaughlin
Ohio State senior center Seth McLaughlin, whose season ended in November after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during practice in preparation for the Indiana game, shared his sentiments.
“So proud of the guys on this team and this staff! They proved a lot of people wrong on this run. Love these guys so much!!! Natty champs!!!!”
Several former Buckeyes players joined the masses with their well wishes to the Scarlet and Gray.
JK Dobbins
“Coach Ryan Day… You deserve this moment!!”
Maurice Clarett
“Title Town!! I only roll with winners”
Cris Carter
Other social media posts in support of Ohio State came from its two new senators, Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, and also the two Republicans expected to run for governor in 2026, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Attorney General Dave Yost.
Even the Empire State Building in New York got in on the celebration after the city lit up the top of the skyscraper in scarlet and posted a message to Buckeye Nation.
The Buckeyes announced a championship celebration will take place at noon Sunday at Ohio Stadium. The event and parking are free, with additional details to be announced later this week.
