Visiting Columbus for a Game?

Columbus is served by John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), located about 6 miles east of downtown, making it one of the most convenient major-city airports in the Midwest. The drive downtown takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes with normal traffic. Rideshare via Uber or Lyft runs $20 to $30, while the COTA AirConnect bus offers direct service to downtown for just $2.75, running daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Columbus is a car-friendly city and having a rental is helpful if you plan to visit Ohio Stadium, which sits about three miles north of downtown near campus. COTA operates bus routes across the city, including the CMAX bus rapid transit line along Cleveland Avenue, but coverage to sporting venues is limited and evening frequency drops after games. Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the city and are the most practical post-game option for fans staying downtown.

Downtown Columbus is the most central base for fans attending Blue Jackets games at Nationwide Arena or Crew matches at Lower.com Field, with hotels generally ranging from $130 to $220 per night. The Short North neighborhood, just north of downtown along High Street, is a sports fan favorite for its density of bars, restaurants, and walkability to both downtown arenas. For Ohio State games, consider staying near the University District or Campus area to be within walking distance of Ohio Stadium, but book well in advance as the city-wide sellout effect during home Buckeyes weekends can push rates above $300. Visiting fans should note that major Ohio State home games, particularly rivalry matchups like Michigan, can compress hotel availability across the entire city months out.

Columbus punches well above its weight as a multi-sport destination: you can realistically catch an NHL game at Nationwide Arena, an MLS match at Lower.com Field, and a college football game at Ohio Stadium all in the same trip during the fall. Ohio State football is a genuine cultural institution here, and the atmosphere in and around the Horseshoe on game day is among the loudest and most passionate in college football. The Columbus Blue Jackets have a fiercely loyal fanbase that rallied through lean years, making Nationwide Arena a legitimately raucous building on big nights. The Columbus Crew are one of MLS's founding clubs and three-time MLS Cup champions (2008, 2020, 2023), offering a more affordable and laid-back game-day experience compared to the other two venues.