NBC4 WCMH-TV

Columbus Crew celebrate MLS Cup win with parade and rally

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Thousands of Columbus Crew fans gathered in the Arena District on Tuesday to celebrate the team’s MLS championship.

The club held a parade at noon along Nationwide Boulevard, from Third Street West to Lower.com Field. Hundreds of fans were on cloud nine marching next to the vehicles taking the players. “Amazing, its fantastic to see the Crew bring a cup home,” said Scott Reing-Hurley. “The energy the city has for soccer, it’s awesome.”


After the team arrived on a semi, they gathered for a rally in the plaza outside the stadium. It was there that the players, coach Wilfried Nancy, team owners, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther spoke to the fans at the plaza.

The Crew defeated Los Angeles FC 2-1 on Saturday there to win its third MLS Cup. It was the Black & Gold’s second title in four years and first they won at Lower.com Field, its stadium for the past two and a half years. Columbus will now embark on a huge 2024 season where they will compete in five different competitions and could play upwards of 55 to 60 games.

The Crew last took the MLS Cup in 2020 in a 3-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at Historic Crew Stadium. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the team did not have a championship parade. It was only fitting the club brought all three of its MLS Cup trophies and that the parade was held three years to the date of that 2020 title.

“We didnt get to do this in 2020, so it was really great,” said Jen House. “I texted my boss Saturday night and was like I’m taking a couple hours off, I’ve got to go to this parade and this party.”

The club estimates that 20,000 attended Tuesday’s parade and rally.