Ohio’s First Enclosed NFL Stadium Breaks Ground

The Cleveland Browns are making history by building Ohio’s very first enclosed NFL stadium. Crews officially broke ground on the $2.6 billion project in Brook Park. The massive venue will feature a translucent, folded-plate roof. This unique cover will protect fans from the elements while keeping an open-air feel.

The centerpiece of the design is the futuristic roof. It uses a clear material called ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE). This lightweight, tough substance lets sunlight wash over the entire playing field.

• Natural Light: Sunlight passes right through the ceiling. It keeps the stadium bright even on cloudy days.
• Weather Shield: The roof blocks rain, sleet, freezing temperatures, and heavy snow.
• Smart Slopes: The roof is pitched at a special angle. This design uses gravity to help heavy snow slide off safely.

The design is inspired by the grand civic halls and iconic atriums found throughout Cleveland. It gives fans the best of both worlds. They get the visual beauty of the outdoors without the freezing cold.

The project is far more than just a place to watch football. It will serve as the anchor for a 176-acre mixed-use entertainment district. The new Huntington Bank Field will hold 67,500 seats and will be built 80 feet below ground level due to nearby airport height rules.

The surrounding area will grow in multiple phases. It will eventually include:

• Upscale hotels for out-of-town visitors
• Modern apartments for residents
• Vibrant shops and dining spots
• Wider concourses with clear views of the field

Architects designed the seating bowl to be incredibly steep. In fact, the upper decks will be the closest to the field in the whole NFL.

The most exciting feature for local fans is the new Dawg Pound. It will stand at a sharp 34-degree angle. It will hold 60 rows of shouting fans right next to the visitor’s tunnel. The angled roof will act like a megaphone. It will bounce the sound back down to create an intense home-field advantage.

Because the stadium is fully enclosed, it can host events all year long. The community plans to use the venue for major concerts, international sam-pugliese.com soccer matches, and the NCAA Men’s Final Four. Construction is moving fast, and the team expects to kick off the 2029 NFL season in their brand-new home.