Shaded Seats at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field

ScottsMiracle-Gro Field (formerly Lower.com Field) is an open-air soccer stadium in Columbus, Ohio. This state-of-the-art venue serves as the home pitch for the Columbus Crew. Central Ohio is known for its four-season climate but summers in Columbus get particularly hot, humid and sunny. Fans attending matches here should consult this guide and the stadium’s seating chart to locate the shaded seats at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field?

Typically, shaded seats at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field are situated:

• West Sideline: Shaded by mid-afternoon and in the evening
• Under Cover: Shaded in upper rows behind the goals

Conversely, sunny seats are predominantly found:

• East Sideline: Sunny especially in the lower-level

Matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field usually start the evening, with occasional afternoon games mixed in. Due to Ohio’s position in the eastern time zone, Columbus has late sunsets, and particularly in the summer the sun may shine well into evening matches.

ScottsMiracle-Gro Field Orientation to the Sun

The stadium’s slightly off-axis north-to-south orientation means the sun is almost directly above the south goal line in the 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM hour. Over the course of the afternoon the sun dips behind the structure on the west side of the stadium. It eventually sets near the north goal line.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on July 1st.

Click or tap to see a seating chart for the next event at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Afternoon ScottsMiracle-Gro Field Matches

ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, mirroring other soccer-specific stadiums of its era, features seating on all four sides of the pitch with a hollow rectangular roof covering the stands. This roof provides considerable shade, but the sun’s varying position throughout the day means that some sections are more shaded than others.

For 1:00 PM games, the best shaded option is behind the south goal line in the upper-level sections 203-209, where seats are comfortably under the roof. On the west sideline, sections 112-122 and premium suites should also be mostly shaded, thanks to the roof. However, seats closer to the pitch may initially be sunny, but will become shaded by mid-afternoon as the sun shifts westward. On the east side, sections 232-244 are generally shaded thanks to the roof, but rows closer to the pitch might experience sun later in the afternoon.

The sunniest seats are on the lower east sideline, particularly in sections 132-144, where the sun’s position allows rays to penetrate through the stadium’s hollow opening.

By late-afternoon seats on the west sideline (left) are in the shade, while seats on the east sideline (right) are still sunny.
SPP Sport Press Photo. / Alamy Stock Photo

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening ScottsMiracle-Gro Field Matches

By early evening, the entire west sideline and the south goal line of the stadium will be shaded. On the east sideline, sections 132-144 will continue to be sunny until the sun is low enough to be obstructed by the stadium on the opposite side. Additionally, those in sections 232-244, especially fans with sensitive eyes, should be aware that they will face the sun for a portion of the game.

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Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.