Full Breakdown
Browns Break Ground on $2.6 Billion Enclosed Stadium in Brook Park
5/1/2026, 7:39:37 PM
Groundbreaking Ceremony
On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Cleveland Browns held a groundbreaking at 18198 Five Points Road in Brook Park, Ohio. Attendees included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Brook Park Mayor Edward Orcutt, owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, head coach Todd Monken, GM Andrew Berry, and players.
Project Overview
The $2.6 billion dome seats 67,500, sits 80 feet below and 221 feet above ground, and features a folded-plate roof. Construction begins now for a 2029 opening. The Haslams will fund $1.75 billion; the state pledged $600 million (on hold) and Brook Park is negotiating $245 million. The project should create 5,000–6,000 construction jobs and thousands of permanent positions.
Official Statements
Goodell called the venue “Super Bowl caliber” but warned limited hotel capacity could hinder a Super Bowl bid. DeWine said the lawsuit is likely to be won and suggested a sports-gaming tax as backup. Dee Haslam said the stadium will put Cleveland on a global stage. Orcutt called the project an economic catalyst. JW Johnson projected over 5,000 construction jobs and highlighted the stadium’s potential to host events like the NCAA Final Four.
Opposition & Legal Challenges
A suit challenges the use of Ohio’s unclaimed-funds account for the $600 million state share, resulting in a court block. Brook Park has not approved its $245 million contribution. Goodell noted insufficient hotel capacity as a barrier to a Super Bowl.
Conflicting Figures
Sources list the total cost as $2.6 billion or $3.5 billion, and the Haslam contribution as $1.755 billion, $1.76 billion, or “two-thirds of costs.” All reports agree on a 2029 opening, though some specify “start of the 2029 season.”
Impact Assessment
Proponents say the stadium will be an economic catalyst, create thousands of jobs, expand the region’s capacity for events such as the NCAA Final Four, and improve fan experience with a climate-controlled interior and close-to-field seating.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is clearly going to go on for a while and so I'm not happy about that. There's nothing we can do about that, but we're going to go ahead,” — Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio
- “It was a bumpy road to get here, but we're excited we're here,” — Jimmy Haslam, Browns Owner
- “The new Huntington Bank Field will be iconic. It will elevate Cleveland onto a global stage, ensuring that this project will showcase a reimagined Northeast Ohio,” — Dee Haslam, Browns Co-Owner
- “The stadium is clearly going to be suitable for a Super Bowl. The big thing will be how transformational this is here,” — Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner
Next Steps
The stadium is slated to open for the 2029 NFL season. Brook Park council will review the development agreement in May, with a vote expected in June. The state-funding lawsuit will decide whether the $600 million allocation proceeds.
