Haslam Sports Group, AECOM Hunt and Turner JV Break Ground on Huntington Bank Field

Construction of New State-of-the-Art Facility to Serve as Ohio’s First Enclosed Stadium

Revolutionary Design by HKS to Bring Football Fans Closer to the Field Than Ever

The Haslam Sports Group (HSG) alongside a joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company and HKS today announced 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 today 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 transformative 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, Browns Legend and 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. 

“Our family is deeply committed to Northeast Ohio and we know our community deserves this stadium and transformative project,” said Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “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 partner’s efforts to help make this possible.”

As construction managers for the visionary project, AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company are overseeing construction of the state-of-the-art venue, which will serve as Ohio’s first enclosed stadium capable of hosting world-class events throughout the year, including Browns games, NCAA Final Fours, international soccer matches and concerts for crowds of up to 75,000. With a revolutionary seating bowl design, one-of-a-kind roofing system and flexible capacity, the project will set new standards in stadium construction and fan engagement, bringing fans closer than ever to action on the football field.

“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.” 

Designed by leading sports architecture firm HKS, the new stadium will champion the region’s spirit and identity, enhancing the overall experience for both fans and the surrounding community while spurring long-term economic activity and job creation in the region. The world-class venue will be constructed alongside a dynamic, mixed-use entertainment district led by award-winning development partner and real estate firm Lincoln Property Company, securing the future of the Browns organization in Northeast Ohio for decades to come.

“Today we celebrate a significant moment for the Cleveland Browns, the National Football League and all of Northeast Ohio,” said Mark A. Williams, FAIA, Partner and Executive Vice President at HKS. “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.”

Inspired by Lake Erie and the City of Cleveland, the new Huntington Bank Field will deliver an immersive experience for visitors of all ages, including:

· Closest seats in the NFL: A revolutionary 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 iconic 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.

The new Huntington Bank Field is one of the latest major sports and entertainment projects led by AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company, two of the construction industry’s most experienced and respected firms with a decades-long history of successful partnerships and a deep commitment to Northeast Ohio. With more than 55 years of NFL stadium experience, AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company have helped to shape the evolution of the modern game-day experience. Their portfolio includes iconic venues such as the Browns’ current stadium, Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz stadium, the Jacksonville Jaguars' Stadium of the Future, the Intuit Dome, the new homes of the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans, and SoFi stadium, California's largest indoor-outdoor entertainment space. 

For links to assets from today’s groundbreaking click here.

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About Haslam Sports Group

Haslam Sports Group embraces the positive impact of sports and its unique opportunity to unify communities. Dee and Jimmy Haslam, along with Whitney and JW Johnson, founded Haslam Sports Group in 2020. Through the Haslam and Johnson families' network of industry experience and relationships, their mission is to create world-class organizations that achieve sustainable success, provide a best-in-class fan experience, and give back to their region. HSG looks to invest in strategic sports and entertainment opportunities, with a current portfolio that includes ownership of the Cleveland Browns, operating rights to Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew, co-ownership of the Milwaukee Bucks, the recently awarded NWSL expansion franchise in Columbus. as well as investments in HSG Ventures, HSG Facilities, the WNBA, and other entities.

About AECOM Hunt

Founded in 1944, AECOM Hunt has earned a reputation for being unconditionally client-focused. From iconic stadiums and arenas to next-gen transportation hubs to sustainable healthcare and academic buildings, AECOM Hunt deploys the latest technologies and industry-leading practices to deliver projects on schedule and within budget, no matter the scope. AECOM Hunt is part of AECOM, the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation, and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design, and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at www.aecom.com.

About Turner Construction Company

Turner delivers complex and challenging building projects of all types and sizes across North America and more than 30 countries worldwide. Guided by the technical excellence of our people and strengthened by our global scale, we safely and consistently deliver exceptional, integrated services that meet the diverse needs of our clients. Turner is committed to making a purposeful difference in the lives of our people, clients, communities, and the environment. Our active caring, people-first culture fosters an inclusive workplace where individuals can be at their best and has earned Turner recognition as a great place to work. Turner is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, a leading engineering-led infrastructure group, whose majority shareholder is the ACS Group, a global leader in delivering essential infrastructure across the full project lifecycle. Through this global network, Turner brings additional scale, resources, and connected expertise, creating greater value for projects and expanded opportunities for our people. To learn more about Turner visit www.turnerconstruction.com.

About HKS

HKS is an interdisciplinary global design firm. Our team of 1,800 architects, designers, planners and advisors across 29 offices partner with clients to design and develop elegant solutions to complex challenges. From iconic gathering places to healing environments, our designs enhance experiences and elevate outcomes for all stakeholders. Our work is inspired by curiosity, driven by research and technology and informed by a deep understanding of human and environmental needs. Proud to be a carbon neutral firm since 2023, HKS was named #1 Most Innovative Architecture Firm by Fast Company in 2026.