The recent World Cup hosted on American soil has ignited a renewed fascination with soccer across the United States, drawing more than twenty million viewers as the U.S. Men’s national team progressed through the competition.
A New Era for American Soccer
Former professional player Duncan Oughton and Columbus Sports Commission staffer Jesse Ghiorzi spoke about the tournament’s ripple effects, noting how the event is accelerating franchise valuations and expanding fan engagement.
The Columbus Crew, once valued at roughly five million dollars in 1996, now commands a worth between seven hundred thirty‑five and nine hundred million dollars, reflecting the growing commercial appeal of the sport.
The 1994 World Cup served as the catalyst for Major League Soccer’s launch two years later, and the current tournament is being viewed as a similar galvanizing moment for the game.
In July, the Crew will host a friendly against Burnley, while the expansion of the National Women’s Soccer League promises a 2028 Challenge Cup featuring top teams, a development that excites Oughton, who looks forward to seeing women’s teams in Columbus as role models for his three daughters.
Jesse Ghiorzi of the Columbus Sports Commission described World Cups as a ‘galvanizing moment for the sport,’ underscoring the broader cultural shift underway.