Earlier this spring, the NHL treated fans to an unforgettable Stadium Series clash at Ohio Stadium, featuring the Detroit Red Wings versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. The backdrop was perfect—a picturesque day for outdoor hockey, complemented by a spirited performance from the Ohio State Marching Band executing Script Ohio right on the ice. With nearly 95,000 fans packing the stands, it marked the second-largest audience for an NHL game, trailing only the Winter Classic held at Michigan Stadium, which saw over 100,000 attendees.
With the Stadium Series now behind us and WrestleMania 41 Weekend on the horizon, one wonders what major event could take center stage next at Ohio Stadium. This iconic site, known primarily for college football, has also been home to English Premier League friendlies, Upper Deck Golf, and the annual Buckeye Country Superfest. Ohio State University is keen to diversify its events lineup to generate revenue for essential upgrades to the century-old stadium, including making it viable for College Football Playoff games and other activities during colder months.
The question on everyone’s mind is what should Ohio Stadium host next? While hosting an annual NHL outdoor game there would be a delight, the league prefers to rotate these marquee events.
Is there a performer or perhaps a unique event that you’d love to see at this legendary venue? Let us know your thoughts on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or drop your suggestions in the comments.
As for Brett's take: he's campaigning for WrestleMania. Having long advocated for a Blue Jackets outdoor game at Ohio Stadium, he now sees WrestleMania as an ideal fit.
Recent WrestleManias have drawn between 60,000 and 70,000 fans, so the prospect of filling Ohio Stadium with wrestling enthusiasts over two nights seems like a slam dunk. Cleveland’s hosting of SummerSlam at the Browns Stadium achieved over 57,000 attendees, underscoring Ohio’s potential for such events.
Weather has been a concern for WrestleMania in Columbus, especially given the unpredictability during late March and early April. But if Philadelphia and New York can manage their own outdoor WrestleMania events, Columbus shouldn't be counted out. Additionally, with scheduling conflicts from Ohio State spring games seemingly becoming a thing of the past, a double-header WrestleMania could bring significant profits to both Ohio Stadium and the broader Columbus area.
Nevertheless, Brett notes that if Ohio Stadium is to land a major outdoor WWE PLE, SummerSlam appears more likely due to the more predictable early August weather. Columbus, despite its growth, might not yet hold the same allure for WWE's premiere event as cities like Las Vegas or New Orleans. Still, if SummerSlam came to Columbus, Brett would be all for it, albeit with WrestleMania remaining his ultimate aspiration.
As for Matt, he’s dreaming even bigger, suggesting the Summer Olympics. As demonstrated with the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, which will scatter events across Southern California, it's not unprecedented to host Olympic events far from the main city. In fact, Oklahoma City will host the softball and canoe slalom events, which isn't even the most distant: the 2024 Olympics staged surfing 9,765 miles away in Tahiti.
Matt proposes that Ohio Stadium—a venue steeped in sporting grandeur and enriched by its association with Olympic legend Jesse Owens—would be an ideal stage for the debut of Olympic flag football. With ample practice fields at Ohio State's disposal, the idea seems just as tenable as hosting canoe slalom in Oklahoma. It’s a captivating vision, melding tradition with modern Olympic spirit right in the heart of college football’s most hallowed ground.
