The Sports Capital of the Midwest: Why Columbus is the Heart of the Game
- Amy Cooper
- Jan 22
- 2 min read
From the Fury to the Final Four—2026 is the year Columbus stop being underserved and starts "Laddering Up."
Columbus, Ohio, is not an aspiring sports city; it is an established powerhouse. We are a central node in the North American sports landscape, and we have the legendary culture, world-class athletes, and a community that shows up. But until now, we haven't had a permanent "home base" where women’s sports are the main event rather than the afterthought.
In 2026, we are changing that. We’re moving beyond the "pre-season" of digital tools and kicking off the physical infrastructure this city deserves .
The "Embassy" for the Final Four
We aren’t just opening a bar because we love the game; we’re opening it because we are at a global tipping point . Nationwide Arena will host the 2027 NCAA Women’s Final Four, the premier event in collegiate athletics. When the 2018 Final Four was held here, over 80% of visitors came from outside of Ohio.
While the games happen at the arena, the culture happens at the bar. Raise the Bar will serve as the unofficial "Embassy" for these fans. We are capturing the most loyal consumer base in the game and giving them a place to gather that isn't a "muted corner".
Celebrating Our Backyard Heroes
The momentum in Columbus is already exploding. We have a built-in "regular" clientele thanks to elite local talent:
The Columbus Fury: As a founding member of the Pro Volleyball Federation, the Fury has already validated this market . Fan loyalty is skyrocketing—attendance at season-ticket holder practices jumped from 9 people in year one to over 200 in year two.
The OSU Buckeyes: The proximity of Ohio State provides a constant stream of elite fandom. These athletes and their supporters deserve a space where their "SHEroes" are celebrated on every screen.
The Roadmap Beyond the Kickoff
The 2027 Final Four is a massive milestone, but the pipeline of major events in Columbus is deep. Our city is locked in to host:
2026: NCAA Men's & Women's Rifle Championships and
2026: DIII Soccer Championships.
2027: NCAA DI Women's Volleyball Championship.
To meet this moment, we are modeling a new kind of sports culture—one where competition and cooperation aren't opposites . We are inviting local breweries, women-owned businesses, and neighborhood teams to help us build this. When we cooperate to build the space, the competition on the field becomes more meaningful because it’s a celebration of what’s possible when a community invests in its own .
Join the Kickoff
This bar isn’t just a finish line; it’s a start to a new era where women’s sports are woven into the daily life of our city. We are stopping the wait for a seat at the table and building our own.
Secure the Ground: We are finalizing our physical location in Columbus.
Expand the Huddle: We are growing our donor base to ensure this space is built by the community, for the community.
Collaborate: If you are a local business owner or team organizer, let’s make 2026 legendary .
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