Ohio’s First Enclosed Stadium Moves Forward with New State-of-the-Art Facility Construction
Haslam Sports Group, together with a joint venture between AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company, along with global design firm HKS, has officially broken ground on the new Huntington Bank Field, a landmark project set to become Ohio’s first fully enclosed stadium. The facility will serve as the future home of the Cleveland Browns beginning with the 2029 NFL season and is expected to anchor one of the largest economic development initiatives in Northeast Ohio’s history.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held at the stadium’s future site in Brook Park, marked the official launch of construction for the state-of-the-art enclosed venue and its surrounding mixed-use entertainment district. The project is expected to transform the regional sports, entertainment, and tourism landscape while generating substantial long-term economic activity, job creation, and infrastructure investment throughout the Cleveland metropolitan area.
The event brought together executives, public officials, sports leaders, architects, and community stakeholders to celebrate the start of construction and discuss the broader impact the development is expected to have on the region.
Opening remarks were delivered by Dee Haslam, who emphasized the Haslam family’s commitment to the future of Northeast Ohio and the long-term vision behind the project.
“Our family is deeply committed to Northeast Ohio and we know our community deserves this stadium and transformative project,” Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a joint statement. “The new Huntington Bank Field will be an economic catalyst for our region, delivering best-in-class fan experiences and exciting events throughout the year. Today’s groundbreaking is a historic milestone, and we appreciate our partners’ efforts to help make this possible.”
The ceremony also featured several panel discussions focused on fan experience, economic impact, and the future of the Browns organization. One discussion included Haslam Sports Group leadership, while another brought together Jimmy Haslam, Roger Goodell, and Mike DeWine to discuss the regional economic significance of the project.
Additional programming included a football-focused panel moderated by Joe Thomas featuring Browns General Manager Andrew Berry, Head Coach Todd Monken, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, and cornerback Denzel Ward.
The new Huntington Bank Field is being designed as a world-class, year-round entertainment venue capable of hosting a wide range of major events beyond NFL football. With a seating capacity of up to 75,000, the enclosed stadium will support large-scale sporting events, concerts, and entertainment programming throughout all seasons.
Planned events include Browns home games, NCAA Final Four tournaments, international soccer matches, concerts, conventions, and other marquee events that traditionally require indoor or weather-protected venues. The project is expected to significantly expand Ohio’s ability to compete for nationally and internationally televised entertainment and sporting events.
As Ohio’s first enclosed stadium, the venue represents a major shift in the state’s sports infrastructure landscape. Industry experts say enclosed facilities provide increased scheduling flexibility, year-round usability, and improved fan comfort, while also attracting more diverse revenue-generating opportunities for host cities and regions.
Construction managers AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company are overseeing development of the project, bringing extensive experience in large-scale sports and entertainment venue construction.
Ken Johnson, chief operating officer for AECOM Hunt’s Central Region, described the project as one of the most significant construction undertakings ever launched in Northeast Ohio.
“As one of the largest construction projects in the history of Northeast Ohio, the new Huntington Bank Field will deliver an unparalleled experience for football fans while featuring the flexibility to host a variety of large-scale, blockbuster events that will generate significant economic growth and attract more audiences to the region than ever before,” Johnson said.
Johnson also highlighted the importance of the project within the broader sports construction industry.
“As one of the nation’s leaders in venue construction, we are honored to play a role in this important, game-changing project, and we look forward to working with Turner Construction Company, the Haslam Sports Group and the Cleveland Browns to create a world-class facility that will entertain generations to come,” he added.
The stadium’s design includes a revolutionary seating bowl concept intended to bring fans closer to the field while maximizing sightlines and creating a more immersive experience. The venue will also feature an advanced roofing system and flexible seating configurations capable of adapting to different event types and audience sizes.
Taurean Spratt, vice president and general manager for Turner Construction Company, said the stadium is expected to redefine sports and entertainment experiences in the region.
“The new Huntington Bank Field will redefine the football fan experience and raise the bar even higher for sports and entertainment venues around the world,” Spratt said. “With decades of experience building iconic arenas across the country, we are proud to work together with AECOM Hunt, Haslam Sports Group and the Browns organization to partner with local businesses and construct a once-in-a-generation mixed-use development.”
Spratt noted that the project’s impact extends beyond sports, emphasizing its potential to stimulate economic growth, tourism activity, and job creation throughout the region.
The stadium is only one component of a broader mixed-use entertainment district planned for the Brook Park site. The surrounding development, led by Lincoln Property Company, is expected to include hospitality, retail, dining, office, residential, and entertainment elements designed to create a year-round destination.
Developers believe the district will significantly strengthen Northeast Ohio’s tourism and economic competitiveness while helping secure the long-term future of the Browns organization in the region.
The project’s architectural vision is being led by HKS, one of the world’s leading sports architecture firms. The design team aims to create a venue that reflects Cleveland’s cultural identity and industrial heritage while delivering a modern entertainment experience.
Mark A. Williams, partner and executive vice president at HKS, described the project as an important milestone for both the region and professional sports architecture.
“Today we celebrate a significant moment for the Cleveland Browns, the National Football League and all of Northeast Ohio,” Williams said. “We value our partnership with the Haslam family in creating a sports and entertainment destination that reflects the spirit of Cleveland, through a design that will deliver memories to be cherished for generations.”
Economic development officials expect the project to create thousands of construction jobs during the multi-year buildout, along with long-term employment opportunities tied to stadium operations, hospitality, tourism, and surrounding commercial development.
Large-scale stadium projects increasingly serve as catalysts for broader urban redevelopment efforts, particularly when paired with mixed-use districts that generate ongoing activity beyond sporting events. The Huntington Bank Field development is expected to play a similar role in reshaping the Brook Park area and strengthening the regional economy.
Construction activity is expected to continue over the coming years ahead of the stadium’s planned opening for the 2029 NFL season.
As development moves forward, the project is positioned to become one of the most ambitious sports and entertainment infrastructure investments ever undertaken in Ohio, establishing a new landmark destination for sports, concerts, tourism, and community events for decades to come.
Source Link:https://www.turnerconstruction.com/
