With Major League Soccer entering a World Cup year — on that will be hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada — and a broadcast landscape shifting toward Apple TV access for all subscribers, the Columbus Crew now know the team’s 34-match path that awaits in 2026. The Black & Gold open their 31st campaign with a challenging two-match Western Conference road swing before returning home for a Crewsmas celebration against a familiar foe.
Coming off three seasons of dominant home form — 41 wins and just eight losses in the team’s last 68 home matches across all competitions — Columbus will look to again turn its home venue into one of MLS’s toughest venues. The season is set to feature a unique mid-season break from May 24 to July 16 due to the World Cup, before a rivalry-heavy summer and a playoff-defining fall.
Let’s examine the Crew’s 2025 schedule
February: A Western Challenge to Start
The Black & Gold begin the 2026 season on the road, and entirely out West.
- Feb. 21 – at Portland Timbers (10:30 p.m. ET)
- Feb. 28 – at Sporting Kansas City (8:30 p.m. ET)
These late-night kickoffs present an early test before Columbus ever steps onto home soil.
March: Crewsmas and Familiar Foes
March marks the return of the Crew to its soon-to-be-renamed home stadium, beginning with the club’s second straight Crewsmas celebration against the Chicago Fire on March 7, a fixture the Black & Gold haven’t lost at home since 2013.
The month also features the team’s first national broadcast of the season on FOX Sports 1 when Nashville SC visits Columbus.
- Mar. 7 – vs. Chicago Fire FC (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Mar. 14 – vs. Nashville SC (6 p.m. ET, FS1)
- Mar. 21 – at Toronto FC (TBD)
A three-match homestand offers a chance to stack early points.
April: A Heavy Home Slate
April is packed: five matches, four at home, with opponents ranging from Eastern heavyweights to a marquee Wednesday showdown with the LA Galaxy.
- Apr. 4 – at Atlanta United (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Apr. 12 – vs. Orlando City SC (7 p.m. ET)
- Apr. 18 – at New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Apr. 22 – vs. LA Galaxy (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Apr. 25 – vs. Philadelphia Union (7:30 p.m. ET)
With this stretch, the Crew could build significant momentum before May’s sprint and the looming World Cup break.
May: A Final Push Before the World Cup Pause
The final month before MLS pauses features six games — three midweek matches — and includes the Black & Gold’s final game before league play shuts down on May 24, nationally showcased on a Sunday evening.
- May 2 – vs. Minnesota United (7:30 p.m. ET)
- May 10 – at NYCFC (4:30 p.m. ET)
- May 13 – at New York Red Bulls (7:30 p.m. ET)
- May 16 – at Philadelphia Union (7:30 p.m. ET)
- May 24 – vs. Atlanta United (5 p.m. ET)
League play halts after this match and resumes nearly two months later.
July: MLS Returns and Rivalry Ignites
Columbus’ season resumes with two home matches, including a July 25 rivalry showdown.
- Jul. 22 – vs. New York City FC (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Jul. 25 – vs. FC Cincinnati (7 p.m. ET)
The Hell Is Real Derby arrives in the heart of the summer, with the first of two games against Cincinnati at home for the Crew.
August: The Grind of Summer
The Crew face six matches in August, including a mix of home comforts and tricky road trips.
- Aug. 1 – at Inter Miami (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Aug. 15 – at Charlotte FC (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Aug. 19 – vs. CF Montréal (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Aug. 22 – at Nashville SC (8:30 p.m. ET)
- Aug. 29 – vs. New England Revolution (7:30 p.m. ET)
With five home matches in the first two months after the break, this stretch could shape playoff positioning.
September: A Home-Heavy Playoff Push
September includes six matches, four of them at home, plus another Sunday national spotlight when Miami visits Columbus.
- Sep. 5 – vs. Colorado Rapids (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Sep. 9 – at D.C. United (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Sep. 12 – vs. New York Red Bulls (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Sep. 19 – at CF Montréal (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Sep. 27 – vs. Inter Miami (7 p.m. ET)
October: Rivalries and Decision Day Positioning
October brings the second Hell is Real Derby clash — this time at TQL Stadium on a Sunday night — as well as the Crew’s final home fixtures before the playoff race concludes.
- Oct. 10 – at Orlando City SC (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Oct. 14 – vs. Charlotte FC (7:30 p.m. ET)
- Oct. 18 – at FC Cincinnati (7 p.m. ET)
- Oct. 24 – vs. Toronto FC (2:30 p.m. ET)
- Oct. 28 – at FC Dallas (8:30 p.m. ET)
- Oct. 31 – vs. D.C. United (TBD)
November: Decision Day in Chicago
Columbus closes the regular season in Chicago on Nov. 7, one week before MLS breaks for the November FIFA window.
- Nov. 7 – at Chicago Fire FC (4 p.m. ET)
After that match, all attention turns toward the MLS Cup Playoffs and the league’s month-long sprint to crown the 2026 MLS Cup winner.
Complete 2026 Columbus Crew Schedule
(All times are ET)
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Feb. 21 | at Portland Timbers | 10:30 PM |
| Saturday, Feb. 28 | at Sporting Kansas City | 8:30 PM |
| Saturday, Mar. 7 | Chicago Fire FC | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Mar. 14 | Nashville SC | 6:00 PM |
| Saturday, Mar. 21 | at Toronto FC | TBD |
| Saturday, Apr. 4 | at Atlanta United | 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, Apr. 12 | Orlando City SC | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, Apr. 18 | at New England Revolution | 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday, Apr. 22 | LA Galaxy | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Apr. 25 | Philadelphia Union | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, May 2 | Minnesota United | 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, May 10 | at NYCFC | 4:30 PM |
| Wednesday, May 13 | at New York Red Bulls | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, May 16 | at Philadelphia Union | 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, May 24 | Atlanta United | 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday, July 22 | New York City FC | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, July 25 | FC Cincinnati | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, Aug. 1 | at Inter Miami | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Aug. 15 | at Charlotte FC | 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday, Aug. 19 | CF Montréal | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Aug. 22 | at Nashville SC | 8:30 PM |
| Saturday, Aug. 29 | New England Revolution | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Sep. 5 | Colorado Rapids | 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday, Sep. 9 | at D.C. United | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Sep. 12 | New York Red Bulls | 7:30 PM |
| Saturday, Sep. 19 | at CF Montréal | 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, Sep. 27 | Inter Miami | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, Oct. 10 | at Orlando City SC | 7:30 PM |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Charlotte FC | 7:30 PM |
| Sunday, Oct. 18 | at FC Cincinnati | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, Oct. 24 | Toronto FC | 2:30 PM |
| Wednesday, Oct. 28 | at FC Dallas | 8:30 PM |
| Saturday, Oct. 31 | D.C. United | TBD |
| Saturday, Nov. 7 | at Chicago Fire FC | 4:00 PM |
MASSIVE REPORT 