It’s no secret that Cincy is a sports town. Soccer is the newest professional sport in Cincinnati, thanks to FC Cincinnati’s rapid rise to the Major Leagues. From the very beginning, the Cincy Region has embraced the team - going so far as to even break several attendance records for the whole United Soccer League between 2016-2018. FC Cincinnati also holds the record for highest attendance at any Ohio soccer match! 

 

Fans are gearing up for another exciting soccer season and we're ready to cheer FC all the way to the cup! Here's everything you need to know about attending an FC Cincinnati match at TQL Stadium. 

 

FC Cincinnati Fans
Get ready to experience the excitement of a home FC Cincinnati match! (photo: FC Cincinnati)

Visiting and parking at TQL Stadium

First time buying tickets? We recommend buying ahead of time. But don’t worry– you won’t find yourself in the nosebleeds if you buy your tickets last minute. TQL Stadium seats about 25,500 fans, and there’s truly not a bad seat in the house. First time attendees can look forward to a stadium that is easy to navigate and accessible.

 

Parking is a breeze as well. For parking at the stadium, FC Cincinnati sells passes along with match tickets. Note: you won’t be able to park at FC’s official parking areas without one of these pre-purchased passes. If you purchase a parking pass along with your tickets from SeatGeek, your closest FC Cincinnati parking options are:

  • West End Garage: 1530 John St., 45214
  • Town Center Garage: 1223 Central Parkway, 45214
  • East Garage: On Central Parkway, east of TQL Stadium
  • West Surface Lot: On John Street, southwest of TQL Stadium
  • Findlay Market: at Liberty and Elm

 

If you don't purchase a pass with your ticket, matchday parking is available at the garages listed below. Special event rates may apply.

 

FC Cincinnati TQL
Before every home match you can march with fellow fans from Washington Park into TQL Stadium (photo: FC Cincinnati)

FC Cincinnati matches are family-friendly

Going to an FC Cincinnati match is a family-friendly outing, and that includes the FC Cincinnati Pre-Match at the Park which takes place at Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine before every home game. 

 

FC Cincinnati also offers a Kids' Club for those 2 - 12 years old. The Kids' Club membership offers discounts on tickets and merchandise, along with some free FC Cincinnati swag.

 

2025 Benefits include:

  • FC Cincinnati Kids' Club Welcome Pack
    • Lunch Box (Either Tin or Jersey)
    • Scarf
    • T-Shirt
    • Welcome Letter from Coach Pat Noonan
  • Access to Special Events
    • Player Meet and Greet Autograph Signing
    • Player Panel Session (No Autographs)
    • Practice with the Coaches
    • FCC Clinic
  • Mercy Health Wellness Seminar Ticket Opportunity
    • Event focused on learning about mental and physical health through panel sessions, activities, and guest speakers
  • 10% in-store merchandise discount at the TQL Stadium and OTR Team Stores
  • Birthday card
  • Monthly newsletter
  • Discounted tickets to the FC Cincinnati 2 match at TQL Stadium
  • Early access to FCC Youth Camps (For Members 6-14 Years Old)

 

When bringing children to the stadium, check in at the Guest Experience Center for Child ID wristbands, which will help stadium staff locate their seats if they become separated. The Guest Experience Center is located on the Concourse Level behind Section E6. 

 

The goal/net at an FC Cincinnati game
The atmosphere at every FC Cincinnati game is electrifying, thanks to passionate fans! (photo: Colin Peterman)

FC Cincinnati’s official pre-match rally

If you’ve seen photos or promotional videos, you know the pre-match festivities are a bit of a production. From the mini-parade through historic Over-the-Rhine, loud with drumming and chanting, to the pep rally-style pre-match celebration at Washington Park, fans create a lively environment of team spirit. 

 

FC Cincinnati Supporter Groups, made up of die-hard fans, lead the March to the Match from northern OTR, down Elm St. and Pleasant St. Anyone is welcome to join in the march, but there are some rules to follow. The march culminates at the park, where there are food trucks, activities for kids, and adult beverages available at The Porch, a full-service bar. Washington Park is a short walk to TQL Stadium.

 

For a less rowdy pre-match experience, the pre-match Happy Hour inside the stadium is held behind sections 111 and 112. The Heineken Bar and the Coors Light Bar offer $2 off beers, seltzers, and wine up until kickoff. 

 

FC Cincinnati Fans
Grabbing a pre-match drink is easy in OTR - so many great restaurants and bars are just steps from the stadium (photo: FC Cincinnati)

Game time and the Bailey

Inside the stadium, you have numerous concession options, including Cincinnati favorites like LaRosa’s Pizza, Gomez Tacos, Lucious Q, and Skyline Chili, among others. Adult beverage options include Fretboard and Rhinegeist brews, Cutwater Canned Cocktails, wine, and other canned and draft beers. 

 

TQL Stadium concessions are cash-free and accept payments via any major credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or FCC gift cards. The stadium also features cash-to-card reverse ATMs, where you can insert cash and receive a payment card to use for food and drink.

 

Once the match starts, the Bailey brings the energy. The Bailey is a general-admission standing area where designated Supporters Group members use megaphones to lead chants, wave huge flags, and deploy blue and orange smoke devices whenever FC Cincinnati scores a goal. Pro tip: be prepared to stand the entire match! Also, donning your best orange and blue gear is a must. 

 

Fans with tickets to the Bailey pick their seats on a first-come first-served basis (there is no reserving seats!). The bottom section of the Bailey is temporarily reserved before the match for certain SG members to get in position.

 

Tyson at Queen City Radio (photo: Eric Vice)
Queen City Radio - right across the street from TQL - is the perfect spot to grab a drink among fellow FC fans (photo: Eric Vice)

Cincinnati’s most popular soccer bars

FC Cincinnati draws a lot of soccer fans to Over-the-Rhine, where there is no shortage of great bars that cater to them. The best part? They're only steps from the stadium!

 

The Pitch bills itself as a soccer bar, and even has a mini soccer field where patrons can kick a ball around. Rotating food trucks bring the grub, which patrons can enjoy inside or on the rooftop or ground-level patios. The Pitch opens early on Saturdays and Sundays to air certain English Premier League matches as well. Queen City Radio isn’t strictly a soccer bar, but its large beer garden and proximity to the stadium make it an ideal spot for a pre-match drink. The Lübecker serves authentic German street food from their walk-up window. Rhinehaus OTR is another sports bar known for opening early to air EPL matches. Just a few blocks further than Queen City Radio, it’s an easy walk to the stadium, but it’s also a fine spot to watch any game. Rhinehaus has been OTR’s local sports bar since 2013.

 

To get your tickets to Cincy’s new favorite pastime, just search FC Cincinnati at SeatGeek.com. Current ticket prices start at from $16. 

 

TQL Stadium Home of FC Cincinnati
TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati - located in Over-the-Rhine in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio (photo: FC Cincinnati)

Catch a FIFA World Cup game at TQL Stadium in 2025

Exciting news for international soccer fans: TQL Stadium will host four matches in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup 2025!

 

Full Club World Cup Schedule At TQL Stadium (All Times ET)

 

Tickets for all Group Stage matches are available via FIFA.com/tickets