CINCINNATI (WXIX) – FC Cincinnati will go head-to-head with its biggest rival, the Columbus Crew, Monday night for the first round of the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.
“Hell is Real,” a nearly decade-old rivalry match, returns to TQL Stadium as both Ohio teams compete to win the first game of a best-of-three series.
The environment inside the stadium is expected to be more intense than the normal “Hell is Real” derby.
FC Cincinnati currently stands at No. 2 under Philadelphia Union in the MLS rankings, whereas the Crew is ranked at No. 7.
However, Columbus has proven its competitiveness and has won several more games against Cincinnati.
For tonight’s game, FCC fans are asked to go all out in orange.
Gates open at 5:15 p.m. with rally towels being hand out at the entrance. Pre-game rituals begin a 6:35 p.m. with kick off scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
Win or lose, FCC will travel to Columbus for Game 2 at Lower.com Field Nov. 2 to play the Crew again.
If both teams win one game in the series, then the third game will be held at TQL Stadium Nov. 8.
Why is it called “Hell is Real”?
The rivalry match name comes from a billboard that sits off to the side on Interstate 71 between Columbus and Cincinnati.
In large capital letters, the sign reads “Hell Is Real,” and it often grabs the attention of many passersby.
The Hell is Real derby returns this weekend as FC Cincinnati travels up to Columbus to play the Columbus Crew on Sunday.(Carter Skaggs/The Enquirer)
Fans for FCC and the Crew adopted the name for the rivalry match in 2017. The tradition has stuck around ever since.
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