It’s been an incredible 11 days in Central Ohio since the Columbus Crew defeated LAFC 2-1 on Dec. 9 to capture the Black & Gold’s third MLS Cup.

There’s no rest for the reigning champions as Major League Soccer released its 2024 schedule Wednesday afternoon. The Crew’s docket is full of appetizing matchups, with rivalries, rematches and some guy named Messi all playing an important role in comprising next season.

Columbus begins its championship defense on Saturday, Feb. 24, when the team welcomes Atlanta United to Lower.com Field. No doubt the Arena District will be rocking, and it will be a festive Crewsmas as the Crew celebrates its championship with a passionate fanbase hoping to repeat the magic of the prior season.

The Black & Gold will need to pack some long underwear as they heads to Minnesota to battle the Loons on March 2. Columbus finishes the month of March with a trip to the Music City to battle Nashville SC on the 30.

The Crew battles D.C. United at home to open the month of April before heading on the road to tussle with Real Salt Lake on April 13. That will be the Black & Gold’s first trip to Rio Tinto Stadium since June 2022.

Fans won’t have to wait long for the first Hell is Real Derby of the 2024 campaign. The Supporters Shield winners battle the MLS Cup champions on May 11 and that contest will no doubt play host to a raucous crowd following the incredible comeback by Columbus in the MLS Eastern Conference Final. The Crew hits the road for the next two matches before returning home for a midweek clash against the New England Revolution on May 29. That matchup also marks the homecoming of former head coach Caleb Porter, who was announced as the new head coach of the Revs earlier this week.

July 13 marks an MLS Cup Final rematch as Columbus travels to the City of Angels to battle LAFC. Eleven days later, the eyes of the league are once again on Central Ohio, as the best of the MLS descend on the Arena District for the league’s annual All-Star Game.

Following the All-Star game, Leagues Cup begins in early August, with MLS play resuming on August 24.

Columbus returns to TQL Stadium on Sept. 14 and looks to break the hearts of the Orange and Blue once more, potentially with playoff seeding on the line.

The month of October opens with the Crew welcoming Lionel Messi to Columbus on Oct. 2 and wraps up with a Decision Day clash in Harrison, New Jersey, against the New York Red Bulls on Oct 19.