Browns ‘Super Theater’ venue excavation starts

Article posted by Coliseum, March 13^th, 2026

Image: Cleveland Browns and Erin Farina

The next step in the construction of the new Huntington Bank Field at Brook Park (US) took place recently as the mass excavation and digging of the hole for the enclosed stadium began.

‘clevelandbrowns.com’ quoted Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Managing and Principal Partners, Haslam Sports Group, as stating, “The above marks another exciting milestone moment for the new Huntington Bank Field Stadium. We are thrilled to continue to invest not only in this stadium project and the mixed-used development but in Northeast Ohio. This is more than just a stadium and we believe that by committing over $2 billion in private investment we will be part of creating a transformative world-class experience for our community and generate significant economic impact through construction, jobs and the future year-round events. Northeast Ohio deserves this and we are committed to continuing to invest in the growth of our region. This is a great step in our project and we look forward to the official groundbreaking taking place on April 30^th.”

The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland (US). The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a Member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North Division.

The 67,431-capacity Huntington Bank Field is a stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is the home field of the National Football League (NFL) team Cleveland Browns and serves as a venue for the other events such as college and high school football, soccer, hockey, and concerts.

Berea (US)-based the Haslam Sports Group (HSG) embraces the positive impact of sports and its unique opportunity to unify the communities. 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. The Haslam Sports Group look to invest in strategic sports and entertainment opportunities.

‘clevelandbrowns.com’ further stated that the HSG, together with its development partners, is investing more than $2 billion in private capital in the new stadium and the adjoining mixed-use development with the total project representing $3.4 billion in economic development. The $2 billion includes an investment of at least $1.2 billion from HSG towards construction of the enclosed stadium – plus any cost overruns – marking the largest per capita private sports facility investment in the history of United States. The historical construction project for Northeast Ohio is a reality.

The new enclosed stadium will serve as the centerpiece of Northeast Ohio’s largest economic development initiative to date. Designed and built with the fan and community in mind the stadium will feature the world-class venue alongside a vibrant mixed-use entertainment district led by the award-winning development partner and the real estate firm – the Lincoln Property Company that will spur long-term economic growth and celebrate the region’s spirit and identity. The transformative project will secure the Browns’ future in Northeast Ohio for generations to come.

Dallas (US)-based Lincoln Property Company is one of the largest diversified real estate services companies with 35 offices across the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Offering a fully integrated platform of real estate services and innovative solutions to the owners, the investors, the lenders, and the occupiers Lincoln supports the entire real estate lifecycle across asset types including office, Life Science, retail, industrial, data center, production studio, healthcare, Government, universities, and mixed-used properties.

The revolutionary 67,500-seat ‘Super Theater’ venue designed by the leading sports architecture firm HKS will be capable of hosting a wide array of premier large-scale events year-round well beyond the Browns games including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Fours (the last stage of March Madness where the four remaining teams battle for a spot in the national championship), the international soccer matches and concerts for crowds of up to 75,000.

Dallas (US)-based HKS is a global firm of architects, designers, planners, and advisors who create places noted for their beauty and performance. Its 1,500 people in 27 offices are united by the belief that an environmental, social and governance approach to design achieves design excellence.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States and one (1) in Canada. It also organizes the athletic programs of the colleges and helps over 500,000 college student athletes who compete annually in college sports. The headquarters is located in Indianapolis, Indiana.

As the construction continues the project will also provide thousands of constructions job for the local workers over the next four years.

Enthused Patrick Wipperman, Vice-President, AECOM Hunt, and Taurean Spratt, Vice-President, Turner Construction, “We’re thrilled to be part of the largest construction project in Ohio and the historic moment occurring. The Haslams and our AECOM Hunt-Turner joint venture (JV) team are committed to creating meaningful opportunities for the local businesses and the residents. A minimum of 75 percent of the total workforce hours on the new Huntington Bank Field will be performed by the local residents. Our goal has always been to create thousands of jobs that benefit Northeast Ohio and we look forward to accomplishing that goal over the next several years.”

Founded in 1944 in Indianapolis, Indiana (US) the AECOM Hunt has been building for its clients for over 75 years. From iconic stadiums and arenas, next-gen transportation hubs and sustainable healthcare and academic buildings, AECOM Hunt is known in the United States as the premier builder of large and complex projects.

Turner Construction is a North America-based international construction services company and is a leading builder in diverse and numerous market segments. The company has earned recognition for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing the emerging technologies, and making a difference for their clients, employees and the community.

The local organizations and professionals continue to work on the stadium project and the adjacent development as Independence Excavating (a trusted industry leader in challenging heavy civil construction) is performing the enabling and sitework operations to prepare the site for construction while the Independence Construction is an active member of the AECOM Hunt-Turner Joint Venture construction management team.

Remarked Rob DiGeronimo, President, Independence Excavating, “The mass excavation for the new Huntington Bank Field project lays the foundation for this substantial endeavor. Driven by the site’s proximity to the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport the scope requires digging 80 feet deep and moving nearly two million cubic yards of dirt making it one of the most significant earthwork projects ever undertaken in Cuyahoga County. As a Northeast Ohio-based company we are proud to play a part in what will become the region’s largest economic driver.”

The enabling work for the new Huntington Bank Field initially began in October 2025 and the official groundbreaking ceremony will take place on April 30^th. The new enclosed stadium and Phase 1 of the mixed-use development are on track to open in 2029.

Opined Ed Orcutt, Brook Park Mayor, “We are so appreciative of the Haslams’ commitment and investment in the City of Brook Park and the Northeast Ohio region. The above development is a testament to the positive working partnership we’ve formed with the HSG over the past 18+ months and we are excited about the work that has begun. We are proud that the Brook Park is home to the largest construction project in Northeast Ohio, to date, and we can’t wait to welcome all the visitors and economic activity that will come to our City when this world-class stadium and development open in 2029.”

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