CLEVELAND- The Browns are discussing building a new stadium. The team will play at First Energy Stadium until 2029 and will either play in a new stadium in 2030 or continue to play at First Energy Stadium.
First Energy Stadium went through a $125 million renovation in 2015. The price of building a new stadium vs keeping the current one will obviously be an important part of the Browns study. Cleveland is constantly undergoing change so this isn’t surprising. Some stadiums only last 31 years according to an article by CNN. It mentions that ten stadiums were built in the last 12 years. Will there be even more new stadiums built in the next 11 years?
The Georgia dome was replaced last season and the Miami Dolphins now play at the revamped Hard Rock Stadium. There are two new stadiums being built in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. If the Browns will really build a new stadium in the next decade, the Baltimore Ravens may also discuss the idea of building a new stadium.
Assuming the trend continues, which it likely will, that could mean changes in Kansas City, Green Bay and Chicago. Whoever wants to attend games in the historical venues may want to plan their trips soon. The Packers may keep Lambeau Stadium for a while though after all of the renovations it went through.
Building new stadiums can be extremely expensive. They cost over $1 billion. After all Levi Stadium, Metlife Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium all took at least $1.3 billion to construct.
Should the Browns decide to make a new lakefront stadium, it could cost between $1.6 and two billion. If the stadium will be an indoor one, it will possibly be close to $2 billion. It is also important to factor in the possibility of rising costs to construct stadiums after 2020. Building along Lake Erie could be expensive on its own. It cost $283 million to build First Energy Stadium which was completed in time for the 1999 season.