CLEVELAND, OH — The Haslam Sports Group (HSG) alongside a joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company and HKS announce the groundbreaking of the new Huntington Bank Field, the future home of the Cleveland Browns starting in the 2029 season. The groundbreaking ceremony held at the new site in Brook Park marks the official start of construction on northeast Ohio’s largest economic development project to date, the new Huntington Bank Field enclosed stadium and surrounding district.
The event featured an opening from HSG Managing and Principal Partner Dee Haslam followed by three separate panels that detailed the vision for the new stadium and its impact on the region. The first panel, focused on fan experience, consisted of HSG Managing Partners Whitney Haslam Johnson, JW Johnson, and HSG President Dave Jenkins. It was followed with a panel discussing the economic impact created by the new stadium and district featuring HSG Managing Partner Jimmy Haslam, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. To round out the programming for the event, Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas moderated a conversation with General Manager Andrew Berry, Head Coach Todd Monken, Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, and Cornerback Denzel Ward.
As construction managers for the project, AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company are overseeing construction of the venue, which will serve as Ohio’s first enclosed stadium capable of hosting events throughout the year, including Browns games, NCAA Final Fours, international soccer matches, and concerts for crowds of up to 75,000. The stadium has a seating bowl design, one-of-a-kind roofing system, and flexible capacity.
“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,” said Ken Johnson, COO, Central Region, AECOM Hunt. “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.”
“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,” said Taurean Spratt, Vice President and General Manager, Turner Construction Company. “With decades of experience building iconic arenas across the country, we are proud to work together with the AECOM Hunt, Haslam Sports Group, and the Browns organization to partner with local businesses and construct a once-in-a-generation mixed-use development that will not only strengthen the regional economy and spur job creation but create a new, vibrant destination unlike any other.”
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Designed by sports architecture firm HKS, the new stadium will enhance the overall experience for both fans and the surrounding community while spurring long-term economic activity and job creation in the region. The venue will be constructed alongside a dynamic, mixed-use entertainment district led by development partner and real estate firm Lincoln Property Company.
Inspired by Lake Erie and the City of Cleveland, the new Huntington Bank Field will include:
- Closest seats in the NFL: A seating bowl design that brings fans closer to the field than any other NFL stadium, highlighted by a modernized Dawg Pound
- Transparent roof: Inspired by Cleveland's atriums, natural light throughout the stadium creates a unique outdoor ambiance and views
- Flexible capacity: A "Super Theater" concept accommodates events for up to 75,000 attendees
- First-of-its-kind roofing system: Featuring the first long-span roof without a truss, sightlines and design are enhanced throughout the building
- Economic catalyst: More than 6,000 construction jobs and thousands of additional full-time positions across the stadium and adjacent development, delivering lasting economic benefits for Cleveland and northeast Ohio
Commitment to the northeast Ohio community is critical to the project’s success, and as a result, AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company are partnering with local contractors, including DiGeronimo Companies, Independence Excavating, and Independence Construction. The project is scheduled to open in 2029 along with Phase 1 of the mixed-use development.
