Under the new agreement, the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (CFA) will see its funding share rise from 32% to 50% over the next four years. The additional revenue will help cover the cost of major renovations at Nationwide Arena, which serves as home to the Columbus Blue Jackets and hosts concerts, tournaments, and other large events.
Officials said the increased investment was critical to keeping the Downtown arena competitive with newer venues across the country.
“This commitment from both the county and the city ensures Nationwide Arena remains a vital part of our community and economic engine for years to come,” CFA Executive Director Don Brown said in a statement Tuesday.
The renovation plan includes upgrades to seating, scoreboards, concourses, and sustainability improvements throughout the complex. Final design plans have not yet been released, but city leaders expect construction to start in 2027 following the completion of the funding phase-in.
Nationwide Arena opened in 2000 as the cornerstone of the city’s Arena District redevelopment. The CFA assumed ownership in 2012 under a public-private partnership to stabilize the facility’s finances.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called the deal a “forward-looking investment” that balances fiscal responsibility with downtown growth. “Nationwide Arena drives millions in economic impact each year, and these renovations will help us continue that momentum,” Ginther said.
The agreement will be reviewed annually, with officials emphasizing that a portion of casino tax revenues will continue supporting public safety and neighborhood programs alongside the arena funding increase.
