Crew announce events for ‘Black & Gold Week’

Get ready, Columbus Crew SC fans. It’s almost time for the 2020 Major League Soccer season.

The Black & Gold open the new year at home on March 1 against fellow Eastern Conference side New York City FC. But prior to that first game of 2020 at MAPFRE Stadium, the Crew have a number of events planned as part of “Black & Gold Week” from Feb. 24-29.

”We’re proud to be kicking-off our 25^th season and are pleased to share details of what will be week-long excitement leading up to March 1,” Crew President and General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko said in a statement announcing the events. “During Black & Gold Week, Crew supporters, players and staff will be present throughout the community all to celebrate one of the best times of the year: the start of the season. Everyone is welcome to join our community events during the week as well as join us for Opening Match against New York City FC.”

Black & Gold Week will begin on Monday, Feb. 24 with a special proclamation at The North Market in Columbus. The event is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET and will feature City of Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. That evening, at 7 p.m. ET, the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets are set to host “Crew Night at CBJ”, featuring discounted tickets to the game at Nationwide Arena against Ottawa Senators for Crew Season Ticket Members.

The rest of the week will feature multiple youth soccer clinics throughout Columbus and events such as “Crew at OSU,” “Crew Takes Over COSI,” and the return of the annual “Crewsmas Eve.” The activities all lead up to the opening match at MAPFRE Stadium on March 1 at 12:30 p.m. ET against New York City.

“Black & Gold Week is meant to be a celebration of what lies at the heart of our Club: the Columbus community,” Crew Executive Vice President & Chief Business Officer Steve Lyons said in the release. “We want to thank MAPFRE Insurance for partnering with us to make this year’s Black & Gold Week an exciting moment as we celebrate the Crew’s 25^th season. We encourage Central Ohio residents to check out our schedule for engaging opportunities and we look forward to opening our doors at MAPFRE Stadium for Opening Match on March 1.”

From the press release:

On Tuesday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 26, the Crew are set to hold several youth soccer clinics at multiple locations in Central Ohio including Columbus, Obetz, Westerville and Worthington. The Club is set to partner with various different youth leagues, public schools and YMCA’s throughout Central Ohio to reach over 1,000 youth participants.

Crew SC is set to visit The Ohio State University on Thursday, February 27. The Club will be present at the Adventure and Recreation Center (855 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus, OH 43210) at 7:00 p.m. ET, working with the intramural soccer league as part of “Crew at OSU”.

On Friday, February 28 at 6:00 p.m. ET, the Crew takes over COSI (333 W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215), as the Club is set to host a community event that will also provide a VIP experience to Season Ticket Members. The event will feature COSI giving an innovative look at the sport of soccer while also allowing Season Ticket Members and the general public to meet and interact with players and members of the Black & Gold.

An annual tradition on the evening before the first match, “Crewsmas Eve,” is set to take place on Saturday, February 29. Crew SC supporters are encouraged to attend the Crewsmas Eve celebrations at various supporter bars throughout Columbus to celebrate the Crew’s first regular-season match of 2020.

Black & Gold Week culminates with Crew SC’s Opening Match against New York City FC on Sunday, March 1 at MAPFRE Stadium. The match is set to kickoff at 12:30 p.m. ET and supporters in attendance will receive a Crew SC flag, courtesy of MAPFRE Insurance.