The Cleveland Browns' $2.6 billion, 67,500-seat stadium is set to open in 2029, but one major change is already taking shape. The Haslam family has decided that players will have to say goodbye to natural grass.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Cleveland's front office has decided to switch from natural grass to turf for its new stadium, even as many of its rivals move toward adopting grass.

“The Browns are also building a covered stadium in suburban Brook Park. They currently play on grass. Per the team, the Browns will play on artificial turf in the new stadium,” wrote Florio.

Although the Browns will play on artificial turf starting in 2029, Mike Florio reported on Pro Football Talk on August 2 that the new stadium will be have the infrastructure needed to accommodate natural grass, often required when hosting soccer matches.

That means there's still a chance the artificial turf could be replaced with grass in the future. However, for now, the plan is to install artificial turf in the new stadium.

“For now, the plan is artificial turf. Which will tip the current 16-16 balance of teams playing home games on real grass and fake grass toward turf, 17-15,” wrote Florio.

Unless the owners decide to switch back to grass or a visiting team requests to play on grass, the new Cleveland stadium will have artificial turf.

That said, the Browns are moving quickly with the construction of their new stadium.

More updates on the new Cleveland Browns Stadium

Construction is well underway at the new Huntington Bank Field stadium site. The crew has begun excavating 80 feet below ground to lay the foundation.

Notably, 70% of the stadium's seating will eventually sit below ground level, creating a unique fan experience.

"Every dimension of Huntington Bank Field is designed to create a competitive edge and extraordinary fan experience," the Dallas-based architecture firm HKS wrote in a summary posted to its website.

The designers have revealed that the new Dawg Pound will be 54 feet closer to the field than it is in the current stadium, giving fans a unique viewing experience. It will be a "super theatre" capable of accommodating more than 75,000 people.

“This endzone-spanning section will be set at a towering 34-degree rake to create a powerful wall of sound. A standing-room-only bridge will cantilever over the Dawg Pound section to give fans a unique perspective on games and other events,” said the designer.

Expected to be completed by 2029, the stadium is poised to host the NCAA Men's Final Four and major concerts. That said, what is your opinion about the new stadium?

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit