On April 30, 2026, construction officially began on the new Huntington Bank Field in Brook Park, Ohio — the future home of the Cleveland Browns and what the Haslam Sports Group has called the largest economic development project in Northeast Ohio's history. With a stadium price tag of $2.6 billion and an additional $1 billion in surrounding mixed-use development, the project represents one of the most significant construction starts in the country this year. According to the Cleveland Browns, the venue is scheduled to open in time for the 2029 NFL season.

What Happened

The Haslam Sports Group (HSG) joined a joint venture of AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company, along with architect HKS, for the formal groundbreaking ceremony at 18300 Snow Road in Brook Park — a site adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell were among the officials present. Site preparation and mass excavation had already been underway since October 2025, with the formal ceremony marking the official start of vertical construction activities.

The stadium itself carries a cost of $2.6 billion, up from earlier estimates of $2.4 billion. Of that total, HSG is contributing $1.76 billion through financing and private capital; the State of Ohio is providing $600 million (subject to a pending legal challenge); and the City of Brook Park is contributing $245 million through tax-increment financing. An additional $82 million in roadway infrastructure improvements is being funded separately, with $35 million already awarded by the Ohio Department of Transportation and $12 million committed by local governments.

Key Project Details

• Stadium cost: $2.6 billion (private: $1.76B; state: $600M; local TIF: $245M)
• Mixed-use district: Approximately $1 billion in surrounding development led by Lincoln Property Company of Dallas
• Capacity: 67,500 seats standard; expandable to 75,000 for major events including NCAA Final Fours and international soccer
• Design: HKS Inc. of Dallas; first-of-its-kind long-span roof without a truss system; playing field built 80 feet below street level
• Construction managers: AECOM Hunt and Turner Construction Company JV, with local partners DiGeronimo Companies, Independence Excavating, and Independence Construction
• Construction jobs: More than 6,000 during construction, plus thousands of permanent full-time positions
• Timeline: Site prep began October 2025; mass excavation commenced March 2026; groundbreaking April 30, 2026; stadium opening targeted August 2029
• Demolition: HSG is contributing $100 million to demolish the current downtown Cleveland stadium and support lakefront redevelopment

The stadium will be Ohio's first fully enclosed NFL venue, built partially below grade to accommodate height restrictions near the airport. The design prioritizes proximity to the field — the seating bowl will bring fans closer to the action than any other NFL stadium, according to HSG. The transparent roof system draws on Cleveland's architectural tradition of enclosed atriums.

Why It Matters to Construction Professionals

Stadium and large-venue construction has remained one of the most active segments of the U.S. commercial building market. Projects of this scale — combining complex structural engineering, large-scale excavation, specialty mechanical and electrical systems, and phased delivery — require deep collaboration across general contractors, specialty trades, and local subcontractors. The Brook Park site's proximity to an active international airport adds additional FAA coordination requirements and height limitations that influenced the decision to sink the playing field 80 feet below grade, a design move with direct implications for excavation volumes, shoring systems, and waterproofing.

The project's construction management structure — a joint venture between two national firms paired with established local contractors — reflects a model increasingly common on stadium and mega-venue work. AECOM Hunt and Turner have previously collaborated on projects including Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, and SoFi Stadium in California. That shared portfolio means established workflows between the two firms, which can reduce friction on complex, long-duration programs.

Implications for Owners, Developers, and Contractors

For specialty trade contractors and subcontractors in Northeast Ohio, the project represents sustained work over a roughly three-year construction window. The commitment to local partners — including DiGeronimo Companies and Independence Excavating — signals the project's intent to engage regional capacity from the start. Contractors with experience in deep excavation, specialty roofing systems, and large-scale MEP installations should expect active procurement activity throughout 2026 and 2027.

The public financing structure — combining state bonds, local TIF, and private capital — also represents an important model for large venue development. The state contribution is currently subject to a legal challenge, which project observers are watching closely. If the challenge disrupts the $600 million state commitment, HSG has indicated the project would move forward, but questions about funding contingencies are relevant to understanding the broader risk profile.

The parallel $1 billion mixed-use entertainment district, led by Lincoln Property Company, adds another construction pipeline to the site. Phase 1 of the district is scheduled to open alongside the stadium in 2029, though specific tenant commitments have not yet been announced. That ambiguity is worth noting for subcontractors planning capacity around the project.

What to Watch Next

• Resolution of the legal challenge to Ohio's $600 million bond commitment
• Announcement of Phase 1 mixed-use district tenants and specific construction scopes
• Procurement activity for specialty subcontractors across structural steel, MEP, specialty roofing, and interior fit-out
• ODOT progress on the remaining $35 million in unidentified roadway infrastructure funding
• Demolition contracting for the existing downtown Cleveland stadium

Bottom Line

The new Huntington Bank Field is not just a football stadium — it is a $3.6 billion construction program generating over 6,000 trade jobs and anchoring a major economic development district. With AECOM Hunt and Turner leading construction management and a 2029 opening target, the project is entering its most active phase. For construction professionals active in Ohio and the broader Midwest, this is one of the most consequential project starts of the year.

Sources

• Cleveland Browns – Official Groundbreaking Announcement (April 30, 2026)
• NEOtrans – New Huntington Bank Field Officially Starts Construction (April 30, 2026)
• Construction Dive – Cleveland Browns Tap AECOM Hunt-Turner JV for $2.4B NFL Stadium (October 2025)
• StadiumDB – Huntington Bank Field Construction Details