Following Monday’s draw with Wales, the U.S. Men’s National Team’s most anticipated match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage arrives on Friday, and you’re invited to Lower.com Field to experience Gold Friday as the Stars and Stripes face England.
Gold Friday, the second massive event in the Pride & Glory | A Global Soccer Celebration presented by Nationwide series, is an all-day opportunity to celebrate soccer, enjoy live music and cuisine from around the world and, of course, watch the USMNT take on England.
Additionally, all Gold Friday attendees will have the opportunity to sign up for guided tours of Lower.com Field. Parking is free at select lots close to the stadium. Click here to plan your route.
Gold Friday Activities
The fun and festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. when The Pub opens for the first of three World Cup matches on Friday. The World Cup hosts, Qatar, face Senegal, and The Pub will provide cuisine that’s influenced by both participating teams and the other countries playing on Friday.
At 10 a.m. the Community Plaza opens and live music from Shakin’ and Stirred will fill the air while fans will be able to experience multiple activities, including playing FIFA 23 thanks to Buckeye Mobile Entertainment. Trivia will also begin at 10 a.m. inside the Pub. And no – trivia isn’t just for bragging rights. The top three winners will walk away with prizes. (Sorry, no spoilers!)
For those interested in a guided tour of the world-class Lower.com Field, tours will begin at 10 a.m. and will run every 30 minutes, depending on availability. Tours are free and you can register now for your preferred time.
At 10:30 a.m., Broke Johnny, a food truck specializing in breakfast and brunch foods, will begin serving. Thirty minutes later, Dos Hermanos will also serve food, just in time for the second match of the day: the Netherlands vs. Ecuador.
Once 1 p.m. rolls around, the Alan Carl Band will treat attendees to live music.
The main event begins at 2 p.m. when the USMNT kicks off its second group stage match with England. The match will be shown in the Pub and on the Plaza, and the game is a pivotal one for the Americans if they want to keep their knockout-round hopes alive.
At 4:30 p.m., all those in attendance at Gold Friday will have the opportunity to watch a special screening of Good Rivals, a new docuseries highlighting the cultural, social and political aspects of the heated U.S.-Mexico soccer rivalry. Given Columbus’ role in the rivalry, Lower.com Field was selected as one of the first opportunities for anyone to watch Good Rivals, making this a must-see event.
Important Gold Friday and Pride & Glory Info
The Pride & Glory Community Kickoff is a free, non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome to attend, and free parking will be available at the Hocking Street Lot and 600 Spring Lot.
The doors open at 7:30 a.m., just in time for the first of three World Cup matches on Friday.
All are welcome to visit Lower.com Field and experience the 2022 FIFA World Cup at the hub of soccer in Central Ohio. Fans are welcome to represent any team they’d like at this inclusive event.
Pride & Glory is a month-long celebration, and fans are welcome to watch 54 World Cup matches inside the Pub at Lower.com Field.
The next massive event is Dec. 18, when Pride & Glory culminates with the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Fans will be able to watch while enjoying live music on the Plaza while trying food from the Pub and several food trucks before the FIFA World Cup trophy is raised.
During the World Cup, the Crew and its community partners will hold the month-long donation drive presented by Meijer with the goal of collecting 500 soccer balls for the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, to be distributed to the local rec centers.
Donation bins will be located in Lower.com Field’s Pub and Crew Shop, with fans having the additional option to add a soccer ball to their purchases at the Crew Shop. Additionally, a rolling 50/50 Raffle will be held during the entirety of the World Cup, with proceeds benefitting On Our Sleeves.
