Columbus Parent | The Go-To Guide: The Best Family-Friendly Spectator Sports in Columbus
From lively Blue Jackets and Crew games to the Memorial Tournament, the Ohio State Buckeyes and other college teams, Columbus has many options to catch athletes in action. Some are even free.
To the wider world, Columbus will always be synonymous with scarlet and gray. Central Ohioans, however, know that while our sports culture began with the Ohio State University Buckeyes, it now extends far beyond, with several professional teams, as well as large-scale events that draw international attention.
Hockey fans root on the Columbus Blue Jackets, baseball enthusiasts follow the Columbus Clippers and soccer aficionados rejoice in the success of the Columbus Crew, which in December scored its third MLS Cup. Plus, a new pro volleyball team and a variety of annual events offer an even wider array of options, from bodybuilding to PGA Tour golf.
For families who want to be part of the action, here’s a list of some of the most popular teams and events, and a few that fly under the radar, too. The best part: Some are inexpensive, or even free.
All American Quarter Horse Congress
Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus; quarterhorsecongress.com
More than 650,000 attendees ride into Columbus for this annual event, which is the world’s largest single-breed horse show. Roping, reining and professional bull riding are among the featured competitions. The Congress also features a horse sale and a large trade show of equine equipment. The 2024 event will take place Sept. 29 through Oct. 27. Admission is free.
Arnold Sports Festival
Greater Columbus Convention Center and other locations throughout Columbus; arnoldsportsfestival.com
To movie audiences, he is the Terminator, but to Central Ohioans, Arnold Schwarzenegger is the pioneer of one of Columbus’ largest annual events. Schwarzenegger established a bodybuilding competition here with Jim Lorimer in 1989, and the event grew to encompass many more pursuits of strength and skill, including grappling, gymnastics, strongman competitions, youth events and even foosball. It’s now billed as the world’s largest multisport fitness festival. This year, the action takes place Feb. 29 to March 3.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus;nhl.com/bluejackets
Most hockey fans are drawn to the sport for the kinetic energy and physicality, but the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets make the experience attractive for kids, too. A Fan Zone includes virtual photo stations, video games and other activities, and the Hall of Hockey boasts a poster-making station, bubble hockey and more. The team offers special family deals for select games that include tickets, food and ice-skating passes. Fans can take photos with the cannon before the game, and if you’re lucky, you might run into Stinger, the team’s bright-green, yellow-jacket-inspired mascot. The regular season runs from October through April.
Columbus Clippers
Huntington Park, 330 Huntington Park Lane, Columbus; clippersbaseball.com
A Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, the Columbus Clippers are sure to satisfy any aspiring home-run hitters in your family when they play at Huntington Park. Fans can watch the Minor League Baseball team in bleacher seating or lawn areas (bring your own blanket). Pregame activities, fireworks and a chance to run the bases are offered at select games, and players are known to hand balls to young fans. Keep an eye out for mascots Krash and LouSeal. The 2024 home opener is April 2.
Columbus Crew
Lower.com Field, 96 Columbus Crew Way, Columbus; columbuscrew.com
Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew has been on a mostly hot streak since the Save the Crew movement succeeded in keeping the team here—winning two MLS Cups in four years (2020 and 2023) to complement the team’s first from 2008. Younger fans will enjoy pre-match games in the plaza, as well as theme nights throughout the season, which runs February through October.
Columbus Eagles FC
Resolute Athletic Complex, 3599 Chiller Lane, Columbus; Historic Crew Stadium, 1 Black and Gold Blvd., Columbus; columbuseaglesfc.com
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the Columbus Eagles play outdoors in the Women’s Premier Soccer League and indoors in the Premier Arena Soccer League. The 2024 team promises to build on success in the last season, which included the National Road Divisional Championship and the team’s first appearance in the conference championship. The 2024 indoor season concludes in March. The outdoor schedule, which typically begins in May, had not yet been announced as of early February.
Columbus Fury
Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, columbusfury.com
Columbus’ new professional women’s volleyball team played its first game in February. The Fury, whose ownership group includes Joe Burrow and his parents, is among seven inaugural teams in the new Pro Volleyball Federation. The team’s CEO is David Paitson, the former president and GM of the Columbus Chill who is credited with helping bring the Blue Jackets to town. The roster boasts top-tier college players including All-Americans and national champions. With the first overall draft pick in the league, the Fury chose Asjia O’Neal, whose father is Indiana Pacers NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal. The season runs through May.
Columbus Rugby Club
Fortress Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz; columbusrugby.org
The Columbus Rugby Club’s Scioto Valley RFC, a Division II Midwest conference men’s club, is in the midst of its spring schedule, which continues through May. The team, which plays seven- and 15-player games, also has summer and fall schedules.
The Memorial Tournament
Muirfield Village Golf Club, 5750 Memorial Drive, Dublin; thememorialtournament.com
Eighty-four-year-old Jack Nicklaus—the Upper Arlington native dubbed “the Golden Bear”—has long been a legend in golf, and it’s safe to say that his PGA Tour event, the Memorial Tournament, has acquired legendary status since debuting in 1976. Children are welcome, and those 15 and younger receive free admission with a paying adult (up to four children per adult). The Clubhouse Kids website offers downloadable mazes and other activities to help generate excitement for the tournament, which takes place June 3-9. Young golf fans seeking autographs will have their best shot after Wednesday’s pro-am.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon
Downtown Columbus and surrounding suburbs; columbusmarathon.com
Spectators line many points along the Columbus Marathon route, which starts and finishes at North Bank Park, weaving past the Ohio Statehouse and Ohio Stadium and through Bexley, Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights. Children may enjoy cheering on runners in the full and half-marathons, seeing the hospital’s Patient Champions or participating in 5K and single-mile races. The marathon takes place Oct. 20, preceded by the Oct. 19 Highlights’ Kid’s Run for ages 1-11 at McFerson Commons Park.
Ohio Roller Derby
Lausche Building at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E. 17th Ave.; ohiorollerderby.com
If you’re new to roller derby, the best way to learn about vernacular like jammers, blockers and pivots is to check out the action in person. Ohio Roller Derby fields two teams—All-Stars and Gang Green—and plays home games February through June. If you hang around after the game, many players enjoy interacting with fans, signing autographs and posing for photos.
Check out College Sports, Some of Which Are Free
One benefit to the numerous colleges and universities that call Central Ohio home: all of the teams fielded by those schools. Look beyond Ohio State University football and basketball, and you will find a panoply of sports featuring numerous talented collegiate athletes. Tickets are often low-cost—or free.
Capital University
Ten men’s and 10 women’s sports are offered at Capital University in Bexley, including basketball, golf and track and field. The Crusaders belong to NCAA Division III and the Ohio Athletic Conference. athletics.capital.edu
Denison University
Among the 11 men’s and 13 women’s sports teams offered by Denison University in Granville are lacrosse, squash and swimming and diving. The Big Red are members of NCAA Division III and the North Coast Athletic Conference. denisonbigred.com
Ohio Dominican University
Located in Northeast Columbus, Ohio Dominican University is home to seven men’s and seven women’s sports teams, including cross country, soccer and track and field. The Panthers are in NCAA Division II and the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. ohiodominicanpanthers.com
Ohio State University
The Buckeyes are a Big Ten powerhouse, with plenty of athletic talent beyond its championship-caliber football and men’s and women’s basketball teams. The school fields numerous other men’s and women’s Division I sports, including hockey, fencing, swim and dive, and pistol, whose team won its third consecutive national title in 2023. ohiostatebuckeyes.com
Otterbein University
At Otterbein University in Westerville, students compete in 10 men’s and 10 women’s sports, among them basketball, tennis and wrestling. The Cardinals belong to NCAA Division III and the Ohio Athletic Conference. otterbeincardinals.com
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware offers 11 men’s and 11 women’s sports, including golf, tennis and track and field. The Battling Bishops are part of NCAA Division III and the North Coast Athletic Conference. battlingbishops.com
2024 Sports Events Include MLS All-Star Game, USWNT, NCAA Gymnastics Championship
Central Ohio will host a number of major sporting events this year. Here are some of the most notable.
March 14-16: NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship at Capital University
April 9: Finals and third-place match of U.S. Soccer’s SheBelieves Cup at Lower.com Field (U.S. Women’s National Team plays at 7 p.m.)
April 19-20: NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championship at Covelli Center, Ohio State University
April 26: OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon
May 24-26: Savannah Bananas at Huntington Park
May 24-29: USA Volleyball Open National Championships at Greater Columbus Convention Center
May 28-June 1: OHSAA Boys and Girls Lacrosse State Championships at Historic Crew Stadium
June 29-July 8: USA Fencing Championships at Greater Columbus Convention Center
July 24: MLS All-Star Game at Lower.com Field
Oct. 11-12: OHSAA Boys and Girls Golf Championships
Oct. 23-27: Ice Breaker Tournament (collegiate women’s hockey) at the OhioHealth Ice Haus
Source: Greater Columbus Sports Commission
This story is from the Columbus Parent section in the March 2024 issue of Columbus Monthly.