The Columbus Crew announced a new partnership with Northwest Bank on Thursday, October 22, that gives the bank naming rights to one of the most prominent entry points at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. The newly designated Northwest Bank Gate sits on the stadium’s northwest side, adjacent to Astor Park, and will serve as a welcoming gateway for thousands of Crew supporters on match days.
The partnership reflects Northwest’s growing investment in Central Ohio. Louis J. Torchio, president and CEO of Northwest Bank, said Columbus is an important part of the bank’s growth story and called the gate a visible symbol of its dedication to Central Ohio and an opportunity to connect with Crew supporters.
Mary Shepro, President of Business Operations for the Columbus Crew, said the club is pleased to welcome Northwest Bank as an official partner. She said Northwest shares the Crew’s commitment to creating memorable experiences for supporters and making a positive impact across the community.
Once inside the stadium, Crew fans will see the Northwest Bank logo displayed on the ribbon LED boards and on stadium video and tunnel boards. Fans listening to radio broadcasts will also hear Northwest mentioned during pre- and post-match coverage, extending the partnership beyond the gate itself.
The stadium deal is one piece of a wider Central Ohio expansion. Northwest recently opened a financial center in New Albany, its first in Central Ohio, and another next to The Ohio State University, with three more set to open in the Columbus market by early 2027. The bank has also announced plans to build and open a new headquarters in 2029 in Dublin’s Bridge North development.
Northwest Bancshares, the bank’s holding company, is headquartered in Columbus and was founded in 1896. Northwest operates 153 full-service financial centers and 11 drive-up locations across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Indiana, and offers customers fee-free access to more than 55,000 ATMs.
For Crew supporters, the change will be visible the next time they walk into ScottsMiracle-Gro Field through the northwest entrance. The gate naming takes effect with the new partnership announced Thursday, joining the stadium’s other sponsor entrances as part of the match-day experience in the Arena District area.
Photo: Nova Crystallis, CC BY-SA 4.0