COLUMBUS – Columbus NWSL 2028 announced Monday morning that OhioHealth will be the Club’s official healthcare provider and the naming rights partner for its training facility. The announcement includes renderings of the OhioHealth Training Grounds (courtesy of Columbus NWSL 2028), detailed below.
“We’re proud to strengthen our partnership with OhioHealth, a national leader in healthcare and sports medicine who, for generations, has consistently proven their commitment to our community and local athletes at all levels of competition,” said Whitney Haslam Johnson, Managing Partner of Haslam Sports Group.
“Columbus NWSL 2028’s mission is to create a legacy and set a new global standard across women’s sports for our Club, supporters, and region. That starts with building world-class facilities that give our players every advantage to perform at their best.”
“The OhioHealth Training Grounds reflects that commitment and the long-term community impact it will create, from hosting teams during major international events to serving the local youth athletes who are the future of our sport and City.”
Led by Haslam Sports Group President of Global Soccer Tim Bezbatchenko and General Manager Lucy Rushton, OhioHealth will help ensure players have access to resources that help them be their best as pro athletes throughout the year, on and off the pitch.
Through their partnership, Columbus NWSL 2028 and OhioHealth will also collaborate on different fan-focused and community-based initiatives at the training grounds, stadium, and across Central Ohio.
“Bringing professional women’s soccer to Columbus is about much more than what happens on the field,” OhioHealth President and CEO Steve Markovich said in a statement.
“It’s an investment in women, in the health and vitality of our community and in the next generation of girls who will grow up seeing what’s possible.”
Markovich went on to say, “We’re also incredibly proud that OhioHealth will be connected to this team every day, with our sports medicine physicians and healthcare teams caring for these world-class athletes as they train at the new OhioHealth Training Grounds. It’s an exciting partnership that brings together elite care, elite athletes, and a shared commitment to this community.”
About OhioHealth Training Grounds
Columbus NWSL 2028 will build a 45,000-square-foot training facility designed to support the world’s top women’s soccer players on and off the pitch. The OhioHealth Training Grounds will model itself on the OhioHealth Performance Center, HSG, and Nationwide, and the Edwards family will create an environment that attracts and maximizes both the performance and personal health of elite female athletes.
The OhioHealth Training Grounds is set to open in January 2028 and will feature three grass pitches, a modern weight room with top-line equipment, multiple locker rooms for players and staff, performance, wellness, and rehabilitation spaces, and office and meeting rooms. Upon completion, OhioHealth Training Grounds will also have three synthetic turf fields for long-term youth player development and community access programmed in partnership with the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
Columbus was awarded the NWSL’s 18th franchise in April, owned by HSG, Nationwide, and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards, reflecting the group’s long-term commitment to elevating and uniting Central Ohio and beyond through sports.
