Mass excavation has officially begun at the site of the new Huntington Bank Field, signaling the first visible construction activity for the Cleveland Browns’ $2.4 billion stadium project. The ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for April 30, 2026.

The fully enclosed stadium will feature approximately 67,500 seats and serve as the centerpiece of a surrounding mixed-use district, including retail, hospitality, residential, and entertainment facilities. The project is expected to open in time for the 2029 NFL season.

The construction is being led by a joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company, with local participation from Independence Construction. Legends, a sports hospitality management firm, is overseeing premium amenities within the stadium and surrounding development.

Funding

The project combines public and private funding. The State of Ohio allocated $600 million through the Ohio Cultural and Sports Facility Performance Grant Fund, sourced from the Unclaimed Funds Account. Brook Park and Cuyahoga County will provide $422 million and $178 million, respectively, via bonds to support local infrastructure. The Haslam Sports Group finances the remaining costs.

Legal and political challenges

The project has faced legal and political challenges. A class-action lawsuit was filed contesting the use of state unclaimed funds for stadium financing, citing constitutional concerns. Some local officials in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County have raised objections regarding the relocation of the Browns and the proposed financing structure.

Brook Park officials are coordinating infrastructure improvements to support the new stadium, including road widening, ramp modifications, and a bridge over a nearby railroad crossing. Federal BUILD grant funding of up to $25 million is being pursued to assist with these public infrastructure upgrades.

The Browns’ existing lease at their downtown Cleveland stadium expires in 2028, adding timeline pressure to complete the multi-year construction project. Excavation is expected to be followed by foundation work, structural erection, enclosure, and interior build-out phases leading up to the 2029 opening.

Economic Impact

A commissioned study by RCLCO estimates that the Huntington Bank Field project will create approximately 6,000 construction jobs during the build-out and generate around 5,400 permanent full-time jobs once the stadium and adjacent mixed-use district open. The development will produce roughly $1.2 billion in annual direct economic output, supporting employment in stadium operations, retail, hospitality, and local businesses, and establishing itself as a major economic driver for Brook Park and the surrounding region.

With roughly $1.2 billion in private capital committed by the Haslam Sports Group for the stadium itself — alongside public financing — the project represents one of the larger private investments in an NFL stadium build, similar in scale to other recent high‑profile stadium developments.

Additionally, at a scale of $2.4 billion, Huntington Bank Field joins other major, high-profile infrastructure and stadium projects across the United States, reflecting the growing trend of large-scale mixed-use developments anchored by professional sports facilities.

Huntington Bank Field – Brook Park Factsheet

Overview

Developer: Cleveland Browns / Haslam Sports Group

Location: Brook Park, Ohio

Cost: $2.4 billion

Size / Capacity: 1.7 million sq ft, 67,500 seats

Milestone: Mass excavation began March 2, 2026

Groundbreaking: April 30

Target Opening: 2029 NFL season

Type: Enclosed stadium with mixed-use district

Project Team

Owner / Developer: Cleveland Browns / Haslam Sports Group

Lead Construction Joint Venture: AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company

Local Contractor / Partner: Independence Construction

Hospitality & Premium Partner: Legends

Design / Architecture Partner: HKS Architects

Engineering / Planning Oversight: Provided through developer-led planning with AECOM Hunt and Turner as design-build leads

Funding

State of Ohio: $600M (Ohio Cultural & Sports Facility Grant Fund)

Brook Park: $422M bonds

Cuyahoga County: $178M bonds

Private: Haslam Sports Group

Federal: Up to $25M BUILD grant for infrastructure improvements

Economic Impact

Construction Jobs: 6,000

Permanent Jobs: 5,400

Direct Annual Output: ~$1.2B

Challenges

Legal challenge to state funding

Political debate over relocation

Infrastructure upgrades required ($50M+ cost)

Lease at current Cleveland stadium expires 2028