COLUMBUS — The Columbus Crew today announced that it is set to host Central Ohio’s largest indoor-outdoor viewing parties for the United States Men’s National Team’s Group Stage matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Columbus Crew’s Cup Headquarters with Fadó Irish Pub, presented by Budweiser and Pepsi, takes place in the Easton Town Center parking lot behind Fadó Irish Pub (4022 Townsfair Way, Columbus, OH 43219) on June 16, 22 and 26 as the Stars and Stripes take the field on the world’s largest stage.
“The Columbus Crew has a long and storied tradition of hosting FIFA World Cup viewing parties and through our partnerships this year we are set to have to biggest party in the region,” said Crew Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Mike Malo. “Rather than hosting these events at Crew Stadium like we have in the past, Fadó and Easton present a unique opportunity to create a larger event that caters to the region’s growing soccer fan base and the spectacle of the World Cup.”
The viewing parties are completely free to attend and fans are encouraged to arrive ahead of the U.S. matches to enjoy festivities. Columbus has long served as the spiritual home of U.S. Soccer and the support for the National Team is set to converge at an easily accessible location with a charged atmosphere.
In addition to utilizing every television within Fadó Irish Pub, each U.S. Group Stage match is set to be aired on a LED TV truck in the parking lot behind the restaurant. TheCrew.com is set to live-stream a special pre-match, halftime and post-match show on-site from the event on each U.S. match day, hosted by radio play-by-play voice Neil Sika and featuring select members of the Crew’s World Cup speakers bureau, including several FIFA World Cup veterans: Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter, Assistant Coach Josh Wolff and Brand Ambassador Frankie Hejduk.
Throughout the tournament, TheCrew.com is set to provide a full array of 2014 FIFA World Cup coverage, presenting fans of the Black & Gold numerous digital and social content offerings. Highlights include: complete Group Stage player preview packages, “Crew and Country” and “Road to Columbus” video packages, Crew-specific beat reporting, long-form features on participating World Cup players and retrospectives from those with the Crew who have witnessed the international tournament first-hand as players, in addition to player pundit social commentary from locally based members of the Black & Gold during Group Stage play.
At the viewing parties, fans can enjoy street soccer on a special field set-up in the parking lot between matches, as well as a radar kick, pug goals and soccer tennis. Fans wanting to secure the Crew’s one-of-a-kind special “Club & Country” scarves can enter to win one at each event.
In addition to Budweiser products available for purchase, Budweiser is providing koozies, t-shirts, coasters, flags and pennants for select giveaways. Fadó is selling food and beverages each day of the event and is set to provide a large tent on June 26, in addition to all of the televisions. Crew and Fadó merchandise tables are set to be on-site, and Fadó is showing all 64 FIFA World Cup matches live in the pub and offering food and drink specials throughout the tournament. Fadó urges all fans to drink responsibly, and cab vouchers are being provided by Central Ohio Safe Ride.
For more information on Columbus Crew’s Cup Headquarters with Fadó Irish Pub, presented by Budweiser and Pepsi, visit TheCrew.com/CupHQ.
ABOUT FADÓ IRISH PUB
Fadó (pronounced fuh-do) Irish Pub was the first Irish pub to be designed and constructed in Ireland and shipped and installed in Columbus, Ohio. Fadó, an Irish word meaning “long, long ago”, is distinguished by its genuine Irish hospitality, quality of pints and craic (pronounced ‘crack’, an Irish word meaning “fun”). Fadó Irish Pub, located at 4022 Townsfair Way, is a favorite of International, U.S., and MLS and Columbus Crew soccer fans. Fadó is a proud member of the Official U.S. Soccer Bar program and is the city's go-to spot for English Premier League, USA Men's National Team, UEFA Champions League, Scottish Premier League, World Cup and much more. For more information go to Fadoirishpub.com/columbus/world-cup-2014/.
ABOUT EASTON AND EASTON TOWN CENTER
Easton is a 1,300-acre mixed use development in northeast Columbus, Ohio comprised of three hotels, thirteen soccer fields, two ice rinks, Ohio’s largest cinema, one of central Ohio’s largest fitness clubs and several of the highest grossing restaurants in Columbus. Easton Town Center, located in the heart of Easton, was co-developed by The Georgetown Company, Steiner + Associates and Limited Brands. Opened in June 1999, Easton Town Center is a 1.7 million square-foot “New Urban Retail” center that features nearly 200 best-of-class retail, entertainment and dining tenants. With every season, Easton’s pedestrian-friendly common areas, parks and fountains serve as host for children at play, live music, dance, art fairs, celebrity appearances, carriage rides and many other community activities. The development draws over 22 million visitors annually. In 2014, Easton opened its newest district: Easton Gateway. With 500,000 square feet of specialty retail, restaurants and service tenants, Easton Gateway features REI and Costco which are already open and Field and Stream, Sak's Fifth Avenue Off5th and Whole Foods among others opening soon. Continued expansion allows Easton to remain fresh and at the forefront of the market. Easton was honored with an Innovative Design Award by the International Council of Shopping Centers in 2000 and Easton Town Center was listed as one of the Top Five Most Innovative Malls in the World by trade publication Inside Retail in 2011.
