We had tickets to see the Columbus Crew take on Atlanta United in the first round of the 2023 MLS Playoffs, but there was no guarantee we’d get to go. This third match in the series would be cancelled if either team won the first two. But luckily, they split the initial games, meaning that Game 3 was on! So we bundled up, and headed over to Lower.com field on November 12th for a chilly Sunday evening match.
The ride from Springfield to Columbus was easy, and we arrived way ahead of schedule. That was by design — we wanted plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere and to explore this relatively new stadium, which opened in 2021. The Crew’s original home was the first soccer-specific stadium built in the USA, and although we loved it, Lower.com Field is a major upgrade. It cost $231 million to build, and has firmly positioned Columbus as one of the meccas of US soccer.
We’re accustomed to the Mestalla in Valencia, which is one of Spain’s oldest stadiums, so walking into Lower.com Field felt like exchanging an old-timer for a brand new Tesla. Everything was modern and sparkling; it was easy to find our seats, and there were more concessions and shopping possibilities than we could believe. We were impressed!
Of course, the modern vibe comes with a modern price tag. All the food and drinks were extremely expensive — maybe this has become the norm at US sporting events, but I’m just not paying that much for a small bag of Doritos. You can load it with toppings and call it a “walking taco” all you want, but it’s still a small bag of Doritos! Merchandise was similarly overpriced — think $40 for a regular hat.
We’re accustomed to the Mestalla in Valencia, which is one of Spain’s oldest stadiums, so walking into Lower.com Field felt like exchanging an old-timer for a brand new Tesla. Everything was modern and sparkling; it was easy to find our seats, and there were more concessions and shopping possibilities than we could believe. We were impressed!
Of course, the modern vibe comes with a modern price tag. All the food and drinks were extremely expensive — maybe this has become the norm at US sporting events, but I’m just not paying that much for a small bag of Doritos. You can load it with toppings and call it a “walking taco” all you want, but it’s still a small bag of Doritos! Merchandise was similarly overpriced — think $40 for a regular hat.
From our Travel Blog.
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