They started play in 1996 , and have played in their own stadium , Columbus Crew Stadium , since 1999 . The team played its home matches in Ohio Stadium from its inaugural year in 1996 through 1998 . Beginning in 1999 , the Crew played all of their home MLS matches in the newly built Columbus Crew Stadium , the first soccer specific stadium for a top flight team in the United States and frequent host to key US Men 's National Team fixtures .