Columbus Crew Moves Match to NFL Stadium

The visit of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi to face Columbus Crew has triggered a growing trend in the MLS: relocating high-profile matches to larger venues. This weekend's fixture will not be held at the regular Lower.com Field, but instead at Cleveland's Huntington Bank Field, home of the Cleveland Browns, which seats up to 67,000 fans—more than triple the capacity of Crew’s home stadium.

“This is a great opportunity for us to engage with a larger number of Crew fans and connect with new supporters in Northeast Ohio,” said John Glessing from Haslam Sports Group, the ownership group of both the Crew and Browns.

It’s far from an isolated case. Since Messi arrived in the league, clubs such as Sporting Kansas City, Chicago Fire, Charlotte FC, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, and Orlando City have hosted games against Inter Miami in NFL stadiums, frequently setting attendance records.

Crew Won’t Sacrifice Style for the Messi Factor

Despite the spectacle, Columbus Crew insists it won’t abandon its identity. Uruguayan forward Diego Rossi emphasized that while the team respects the opponent, their offensive, possession-based philosophy remains intact.

“We’re sticking to our style. We know we’re facing top-quality players, but we’ve had success playing our way,” said Rossi, who has scored five goals in eight matches this season.

This matchup is one of the most anticipated of the MLS season. Columbus leads the Eastern Conference with 18 points, while Gerardo Martino’s Inter Miami sits fourth with 15 points and a game in hand.

Speaking about Messi, Rossi added: “He’s a unique player. There’s no special plan for him, but of course we need to be careful. Everyone knows what he can do.”

Regardless of the hype surrounding the opponent, Rossi remains focused. “I always give my best, no matter who’s on the other team,” he said.

Once again, Messi’s presence is shaping more than just tactics—it’s redefining how soccer is experienced across the United States.