COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew today announced a multiyear agreement with Bread Financial®, a Columbus-based tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions.
As part of the relationship, the Bread Financial Club will debut this Saturday during the Black & Gold’s season opener against Chicago Fire FC at Lower.com Field. Initially named the Rail Club when the stadium was built in 2021, the Bread Financial Club is an exceptional premium space on the east sideline with exclusive food and beverage offerings and phenomenal views of the pitch.
Bread Financial will also be integrated in the Crew’s Season Ticket Member and Crew Futures programs, while also serving as a Pillar Partner of the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, which is focused on promoting school attendance and engagement.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bread Financial and appreciate its passion for Columbus, the Crew and our community,” said Crew Vice President of Corporate Partnerships, Justin Younghans. “Through our new relationship, Bread Financial will help the Crew continue to provide world class entertainment to our supporters while also creating the next generation of fans.”
“Bread Financial is excited to partner with the Crew, an organization with a storied history in Columbus that shares many of our company values and commitments to make Columbus a great place to live and work,” said Shannon Andrick, Senior Vice President of Business Strategy at Bread Financial. “We look forward to working with the Crew to expand our reach in Columbus and being part of many exciting events in our community that make a positive impact both on and off the pitch.”
“We are also thrilled to have Bread Financial serve as a Pillar Partner of Stay in the Game! Attendance Network, creating an immediate impact on Central Ohio students,” said Stephanie Cedeño, Crew Director of Community Relations. “As a locally based company, Bread Financial shares our passion for Columbus and will strengthen the program’s activations to help create a lasting impact on our youth and the region while empowering students to reach their full potential.”
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Bread Financial offers general purpose credit cards and savings products, and provides payment solutions for some of the most recognized brands in travel & entertainment, health & beauty, jewelry and specialty apparel through their private label and co-brand credit cards and pay-over-time products. The company was recently named to Forbes’ America’s Best Employers list, reserved for the country’s top employers prioritizing the culture and well-being of its workforce.
The Stay in the Game! Attendance Network’s mission is focused on promoting school attendance and student engagement with its partner districts in the state. As of July 1, SITG! has partnered with Columbus-based Battelle to serve as its fiscal agent and point of contact, coordinating and facilitating activities and initiatives with partner school district sports teams. SITG! has grown from 13 districts at its start during the 2019-2020 school year to now expecting more than 100 districts for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more visit StayInTheGame.org.
The Crew open their 30th MLS season at home against Chicago Fire FC on Saturday, Feb. 22. The full 2025 season schedule can be found here. Single-match tickets for all Black & Gold contests at Lower.com Field are available for purchase at www.columbuscrew.com/tickets. This year marks back-to-back seasons – the only two in Club history – that the Crew have sold all season tickets, thanks to their massive supporters. Information on how to join the wait list for future season tickets will be available soon.
