Cleveland Browns building a new dome stadium

[BarleyNY]

5 hours ago, billsfanmiamioh said:

How many teams actually use them now? I think you’d be hard pressed to find a single one that is closed sometimes and open others. Retractable roofs are dead. They’re not worth the maintenance. It’s dome or open air 

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/list-of-indoor-and-outdoor-nfl-stadiums-how-many-nfl-stadiums-are-domed/#:~:text=Of the 30 NFL stadiums,list to break it down.

 

10 of 30 NFL stadiums have a roof/dome. 5 of the 10 w/roofs are retractable. 

[SoCal Deek]

2 minutes ago, BarleyNY said:

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/list-of-indoor-and-outdoor-nfl-stadiums-how-many-nfl-stadiums-are-domed/#:~:text=Of the 30 NFL stadiums,list to break it down.

 

10 of 30 NFL stadiums have a roof/dome. 5 of the 10 w/roofs are retractable. 

Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Indianapolis rarely open the roof. And to be honest I can’t recall the other one.

[BarleyNY]

24 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Indianapolis rarely open the roof. And to be honest I can’t recall the other one.

Atlanta. I have no idea how much they’re each opened. Lots of talk about them but I had no idea how many were out there. Figured others might want to know too. 1/3 with roofs was a little more than I’d have guessed. Seems like the league is slowly moving there. On thing about a dome in Buffalo is that it would be nice for most weather games, but wouldn’t change when we have to move home games. People still have to get there. 

Edited Saturday at 07:28 PM by BarleyNY

[thronethinker]

Lucky ducks paid the PSA for the current new stadium that isn’t that old and get top pay more for the new-new dome stadium.  The fans are getting fleeced by the NFL and I can’t see how the ever increasing costs will not turn away fans. AS with any thing in life there are choices but people are barely getting by as it is. 

Edited Saturday at 09:20 PM by thronethinker

[Since1981]

I’m slowly coming around to the idea that the roof doesn’t offer much broader economic value. I still think there should be a cover, but the new design with wind protection hopefully cuts Josh winds (LOL). Honestly, I’m seeing the smaller Buf indoor venues meeting market. Buffalo will never become a prime destination for indoor events that seat 65,000—this region simply isn’t Chicago or Indy. Yes, Cleveland is a counterpoint 😕 even securing one local Super Bowl feels pretty underwhelming. Beyond a little civic pride, would it really matter?  I mean, who really wants to travel to Buffalo from Dec to “fake” spring March?

Edited Saturday at 09:43 PM by Since1981

[Jrb1979]

33 minutes ago, Since1981 said:

I’m slowly coming around to the idea that the roof doesn’t offer much broader economic value. I still think there should be a cover, but the new design with wind protection hopefully cuts Josh winds (LOL). Honestly, I’m seeing the smaller Buf indoor venues meeting market. Buffalo will never become a prime destination for indoor events that seat 65,000—this region simply isn’t Chicago or Indy. Yes, Cleveland is a counterpoint 😕 even securing one local Super Bowl feels pretty underwhelming. Beyond a little civic pride, would it really matter?  I mean, who really wants to travel to Buffalo from Dec to “fake” spring March?

I disagree. While it doesn't offer much for off season events, it does help with ticket sales in late November to the end of the season. 

[Since1981]

Agree. Weather makes difference But, 4 home regular home games late season is not substantial. An extra $500M stadium, you can give 50% of the last four home games tix away and still be ahead. 

[Just Jack]

On 3/21/2025 at 8:10 PM, Einstein said:

If inflation is the culprit, why aren't the other stadiums that are under construction seeing the same overruns?

The Titans stadium, announced at around the same time as ours and also currently under construction, has a current cost overrun of about 5%.

The A's are also building a new stadium right, in expensive Vegas. Their cost-overruns are only 17%

It sure seems like our nearly 40% cost overrun is staggeringly high compared to others.

 

The Bills have been building their stadium almost a year before either of those stadiums started groundbreaking. Bills groundbreaking was in June 2023. Titans was Feb 2024. Oakland/Las Vegas has not had their groundbreaking yet. Once they all get completed, then you can compare cost over runs. 

[Einstein]

6 hours ago, Just Jack said:

 

The Bills have been building their stadium almost a year before either of those stadiums started groundbreaking. Bills groundbreaking was in June 2023. Titans was Feb 2024. Oakland/Las Vegas has not had their groundbreaking yet. Once they all get completed, then you can compare cost over runs. 

 

Thats fair.

[HOUSE]

We don't need a dome, our fan base will always be 21 years old 

[Einstein]

On 3/22/2025 at 5:42 PM, Since1981 said:

I’m slowly coming around to the idea that the roof doesn’t offer much broader economic value. I still think there should be a cover, but the new design with wind protection hopefully cuts Josh winds (LOL). Honestly, I’m seeing the smaller Buf indoor venues meeting market. Buffalo will never become a prime destination for indoor events that seat 65,000—this region simply isn’t Chicago or Indy. Yes, Cleveland is a counterpoint 😕 even securing one local Super Bowl feels pretty underwhelming. Beyond a little civic pride, would it really matter?  I mean, who really wants to travel to Buffalo from Dec to “fake” spring March?

 

I think a good middleground would’ve been keeping it open air, but making the overhang extend further. 

 

I really don’t know why, other than cost, they made the overhang so dinky. 

 

I would’ve liked to seen a far reaching overhang, similar to what Tottenham did.

Their entire field is open to the elements, but nearly every seat is covered. It also gives their stadium a bit more of an intimate feel inside.

 

 

Our little dinky overhang doesn’t compare.

 

[zow2]

I think it's fairly universal amongst NFL fans that weather games, especially in winter are more fun to watch.   With each round of new stadiums we are slowly closing off more outdoor games.  As much as I thought it would have been cool to have a roof (ideally a retractable roof)....i have come around to the idea that Buffalo playing outdoors in weather is what is meant to be.  I've seen other NFL fans around the country comment on Buffalo's new stadium on various social media.  They often say how glad it's not indoors because watching games from Buffalo on TV is such a cool environment.

[SoCal Deek]

55 minutes ago, Einstein said:

 

I think a good middleground would’ve been keeping it open air, but making the overhang extend further. 

 

I really don’t know why, other than cost, they made the overhang so dinky. 

 

I would’ve liked to seen a far reaching overhang, similar to what Tottenham did.

Their entire field is open to the elements, but nearly every seat is covered. It also gives their stadium a bit more of an intimate feel inside.

 

 

Our little dinky overhang doesn’t compare.

 

How many times do we have to go o er this? The renderings are deceiving. The new stadium’s roof covers the entire upper deck….and the overhanging boxes cover more in excess of the roof. The Bills design gives fan the choice of sitting in the elements or not. There are people who like both! Tottenham is an English soccer stadium. The Hot Spurs play in excess of TWENTY home games a year, with a significant number during their rainy period of the year. 

Edited Monday at 07:45 PM by SoCal Deek

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

I can’t believe this is even a debate. Who else is seriously building stadiums without roofs anymore? In the last 15 years, maybe just San Fran is open? 
 

I get that Buffalo might not ever host a SB. But can easily get a higher return with a closed stadium. Think of all the major NCAA events, which are now in similar medium-sized cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Indy. I think Detroit is even hosting the final four in the next year or two! 

[Einstein]

31 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

How many times do we have to go o er this? The renderings are deceiving. The new stadium’s roof covers the entire upper deck…

Im not sure why you think we have to go over it again. I know it covers the upper deck. That's dinky.

Considering that the upper deck is a whole 15 rows makes the roof overhang covering not very impressive, and as I said before, dinky.

And also as I said before, for me anyway, its not just about being covered from the elements. Its also about the nice intimate atmosphere that the larger overhang gives. 

.

Edited Monday at 08:16 PM by Einstein

[Buffalo716]

9 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I can’t believe this is even a debate. Who else is seriously building stadiums without roofs anymore? In the last 15 years, maybe just San Fran is open? 
 

I get that Buffalo might not ever host a SB. But can easily get a higher return with a closed stadium. Think of all the major NCAA events, which are now in similar medium-sized cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Indy. I think Detroit is even hosting the final four in the next year or two! 

The possibility of holding a sweet 16 game or an elite eight game once every 5 years doesn't move the needle 

 

The Buffalo Bills did a massive study on economics and stadiums... They also Drew from other decade-long studies 

 

All of their findings came to the conclusion that a dome has negligible impact to an economy... They do not bring in what people think they do 

 

Even the biggest Palace in the world.. Jerry world.. has about 12 events planned for all of 2025 

 

That's the most luxurious stadium in the world.. and he has 12 days throughout the year booked... It's really not doing anything to the Dallas economy.. statistically 

 

Now Buffalo's not getting 12 events.. so you're building a dome for five or six? maybe 4? 

 

The stadium study showed a dome brings in is much money for the local economy as a brand new Target..  2+ billion dollars for the return of the target isn't worth it

 

 

Edited Monday at 08:16 PM by Buffalo716

[Augie]

1 hour ago, HOUSE said:

We don't need a dome, our fan base will always be 21 years old 

 

I’m glad I was only 21 once! I don’t think I could survive that again!  😂 

[RiotAct]

32 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

 

I get that Buffalo might not ever host a SB. But can easily get a higher return with a closed stadium. Think of all the major NCAA events, which are now in similar medium-sized cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Indy. I think Detroit is even hosting the final four in the next year or two! 

I strained my brain to the max, but ended up pooping myself a little.

[Just Jack]

45 minutes ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

I can’t believe this is even a debate. Who else is seriously building stadiums without roofs anymore? In the last 15 years, maybe just San Fran is open? 
 

I get that Buffalo might not ever host a SB. But can easily get a higher return with a closed stadium. Think of all the major NCAA events, which are now in similar medium-sized cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Indy. I think Detroit is even hosting the final four in the next year or two! 

 

Let's check...

What is the oldest NFL stadium? Soldier to SoFi in age - ESPN

 

San Fran - 2014 - open

Minnesota - 2016 - enclosed

Atlanta - 2017 - enclosed

Las Vegas - 2020 - enclosed

Los Angeles - 2020 - covered

[BarleyNY]

1 hour ago, zow2 said:

I think it's fairly universal amongst NFL fans that weather games, especially in winter are more fun to watch.   With each round of new stadiums we are slowly closing off more outdoor games.  As much as I thought it would have been cool to have a roof (ideally a retractable roof)....i have come around to the idea that Buffalo playing outdoors in weather is what is meant to be.  I've seen other NFL fans around the country comment on Buffalo's new stadium on various social media.  They often say how glad it's not indoors because watching games from Buffalo on TV is such a cool environment.

 

I could not agree more. The most fun I’ve had at games has been in the worst weather. But NFL owners are looking at profits, not what’s most fun for the fans.