Axios Columbus

February 09, 2026
Happy Monday! This is your official reminder that Valentine's Day is just five days away.
βοΈ Today's weather: Thawing out. Cloudy with a high in the mid-30s.
- Even better: It could reach the 40s tomorrow!
π΅ Sounds like: "Dream On" by Aerosmith.
Today's newsletter is 1,018 words β a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Dreaming of an Ohio Super Bowl
Ohio has hosted major sporting events like the Women's Final Four, MLS Cup and various All-Star Games, but last night's game has us wondering β will we ever host a Super Bowl?
Why it matters: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates the big game could draw 150,000 visitors to a region and inject anywhere from a few hundred million to over a billion dollars into its local economy.
Driving the news: The Browns will break ground next month on the site of a new $2.4 billion enclosed stadium in Brook Park.
- The venue is scheduled to open before the 2029 NFL season βΒ and considering the Bengals haven't hosted in Paycor Stadium's 26 years, this seems like our state's best shot.
The intrigue: The last nine NFL stadiums to be built have each hosted a Super Bowl. Most of those venues were in warm climates, but not all.
Flashback: Super Bowls in Indianapolis and East Rutherford, New Jersey, saw jacket-worthy temperatures below 50.
- The outdoor temperature during the 2018 Super Bowl, held indoors at Minneapolis' U.S. Bank Stadium, was 2 degrees.
Reality check: Hosting is about more than weather. The NFL's demands for Minneapolis to host the 2018 game included the stadium having at least 70,000 seats and 35,000 parking spaces, per the Minnesota Star Tribune.
- There also had to be enough hotel rooms within an hour's drive of the stadium to accommodate 35% of the available Super Bowl seats.
Zoom in: The Browns stadium in Brook Park is set to hold up to 75,000 fans, meaning more than 26,000 hotel rooms would be necessary.
- A November 2024 report detailing the potential economic impact estimated there are slightly fewer than 18,000 hotel rooms in Cuyahoga County.
Between the lines: Other requirements include transportation guarantees, tax exemptions for the NFL and the ability to handle winter weather, tailgating and media demands.
- Officials in Santa Clara, the site of yesterday's Super Bowl, said it cost $6.3 million in operational expenses.
What they're saying: David Gilbert, CEO of Destination Cleveland and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, told Crain's Cleveland last month the city is willing to look into bringing a Super Bowl to Northeast Ohio.
- Yes but: He added, "Just because it's nice to talk about hosting the Super Bowl doesn't mean it's a good idea β for lots of reasons."
The bottom line: A Super Bowl coming to Cleveland may be a long shot, but it still seems more likely than the Browns playing in one.
2. π Sports ticket prices soar

Sports ticket prices rose significantly more than inflation across leagues over the past 10 years, with premium seats skyrocketing, according to data that ticketing platform Gametime shared with Axios.
Why it matters: Going to a game is becoming increasingly unaffordable for some fans, even as demand continues to drive premium pricing.
- Meanwhile, teams are building new stadiums with fewer seats and more luxury amenities.
By the numbers: Average NFL ticket prices sold on Gametime nearly tripled from 2015 to 2025, up 173% after adjusting for inflation.
- Other sports with higher average prices include college football (+119%), MLB (+111%), NBA (+70%), NHL (+65%) and MLS (+22%).
3. π° Nutshells: Your local news roundup
π€ South Western City Schools administration and a non-teaching employee union came to an 11th-hour agreement to avoid a strike that would have begun today. (Dispatch)
π§βπ§βπ§ State agencies are preparing plans to help thousands of U.S. citizen children born to Haitian immigrants if the Trump administration follows through on its plans to rescind their parents' Temporary Protected Status. (Statehouse News Bureau)
π° Congress approved $9.5 million in federal funds for a new advanced manufacturing hub at Columbus State, a request championed by Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno. (WSYX-TV)
ποΈ A developer plans to demolish the Ohio Stater Apartments, a campus fixture for around 40 years, to construct a seven-story, mixed-use building. (614 Magazine)
πΏ Ohio's cannabis industry is split over a referendum effort to block a law that will change recreational marijuana rules and ban intoxicating hemp products. (Ohio Capital Journal)
4. π₯° Columbites: Our favorite sweet spots
Valentine's Day dinners are overrated β we fully endorse skipping the crowded restaurants and heading straight for dessert.
Dig in: Impress your date and satisfy your sweet tooth with one of these unique Central Ohio spots.
Our suggestions:
π Habibi Cafe & Sweets: Enjoy picturesque waffles and crepes between Hilliard and Dublin, including the one pictured above.
π« Al Aqsa Sweets: This Westerville shop has served Middle Eastern treats long before Dubai chocolate was trendy.
π Chocolate Cafe: Warm up with a hot chocolate flight in Grandview.
π° Anthony-Thomas Chocolates: Order buckeyes to go at 13 local shops or tour the factory and see how they're made.
π The Yard Milkshake Bar: Try outrageous Short North shakes, including February specials and a Columbus-exclusive buckeye.
π©πͺ Schmidt's Fudge Haus: A German Village staple selling treats by weight.
π₯ Pistacia Vera: Also in German Village, it's known for flaky pastries and delicate macarons.
β Winans Chocolate & Coffee: Indulge in a perfect pairing at three area locations.
5. πΈ 1 frozen photo to go
π Alissa here, with a tip before the weather starts warming up this week.
Zoom in: The waterfall at Quarry Trails Metro Park is a picturesque spot for nature-loving photographers β and it's fully frozen over, at least for now.
- I snapped the above photo from a viewing area that's accessible via a short, paved trail.
- Stop by the parking lot at 2158 Old Dublin Road.
The big picture: The Millikin Falls are named for Andrew Millikin, a farmer who owned nearby land, according to WOSU. The park opened in 2021.
Hayden Run Falls and Indian Run Falls in the Dublin area are also popular spots that have been around for years.
Thanks to Tyler Buchanan for editing today's newsletter.
Our picks:
π€ Alissa is wondering who has the best buckeye candies in town. Reply with your recommendations (or recipes!).
πΎ Andrew's dog hopes it's warm enough to spend more time outside this week.
β·οΈ Tyler hopes Armenia can win its first Winter Olympics medal!
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