Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL and its fan bases, the Cleveland Browns franchise announced on Monday a formal relocation timeline, with plans to move to a new city—tentatively named “Rivertown” (a hypothetical midwestern hub)—by the start of the 2028 NFL season. The decision, citing outdated stadium infrastructure at FirstEnergy Stadium and a desire to tap into a larger, underserved market, comes after months of closed-door negotiations between team ownership, NFL officials, and representatives from both Cleveland and the new host city. Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise breaks down the six-phase timeline, the reasoning behind the move, and the ripple effects it will have on players, fans, and the league as a whole. For a franchise with deep roots in Cleveland—dating back to 1946, with a passionate (if often heartbroken) fan base—this timeline isn’t just a logistical plan; it’s the end of an era and the start of a controversial new chapter.

Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise begins with Phase 1 (2024–2025): Announcement and Negotiations, which is already underway. The Browns’ ownership group, led by Dee and Jimmy Haslam, formally notified the NFL of their intent to relocate in late January 2024, triggering a 12-month negotiation period with the league’s Relocation Committee. Key milestones in this phase include finalizing a deal with Rivertown’s city council for a \(1.2 billion, state-of-the-art stadium (to be built in the city’s downtown riverfront district) and securing \)300 million in public funding for infrastructure upgrades. The Haslams have also committed to a “transition fund” of $50 million for Cleveland, aimed at supporting local sports initiatives and renovating FirstEnergy Stadium for future use (potentially by a minor league or college team). “This wasn’t a decision we took lightly,” Dee Haslam said in a press conference. “We’ve spent years exploring ways to keep the team in Cleveland, but the stadium’s age and the city’s inability to commit to major renovations left us with no choice.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has signaled tentative approval, noting that the league will “ensure fairness to both Cleveland fans and the new Rivertown community” during negotiations.

Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise moves to Phase 2 (2025–2026): Stadium Design and Groundbreaking. After securing league approval (expected by March 2025), the Browns will partner with architecture firm Gensler—known for designing NFL stadiums like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles—to finalize plans for the new Rivertown Stadium. The venue will feature a retractable roof, 70,000 seats (including 12,000 premium club seats), and a mixed-use district with restaurants, retail, and office space, designed to host not just football games but concerts, conventions, and community events. Groundbreaking is scheduled for September 2025, with a two-year construction timeline. During this phase, the Browns will also launch a “Listening Tour” in Rivertown, hosting town halls to gather input from local residents on team branding (including whether to keep the “Browns” name or adopt a new moniker) and community outreach programs. “We want to build a team that Rivertown can call its own, but we also respect the history of the Browns,” said team president Paul DePodesta. “The listening tour will help us balance that legacy with new beginnings.”

Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise shifts to Phase 3 (2026–2027): Community Transition and Fan Engagement, a critical period for both Cleveland and Rivertown. For the Cleveland Browns, this phase will involve a “Farewell Season” at FirstEnergy Stadium in 2026, with special events honoring the team’s history—including alumni games, a hall of fame induction ceremony, and a final game tribute in January 2027. The team will also donate $20 million to the Cleveland Sports Commission to support youth football programs and preserve the Browns’ historical artifacts (which will be displayed in a permanent exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). In Rivertown, the focus will be on building fan engagement: the Browns will host preseason games at a temporary 30,000-seat facility in 2026 and 2027, launch youth football clinics, and partner with local schools to create “Browns STEM Programs” (focused on sports science and engineering). “We know we can’t replace the love Cleveland has for this team, but we can build something new and meaningful in Rivertown,” DePodesta said. For the Cleveland Browns, this phase is about honoring the past while laying the groundwork for the future—a delicate balance that will define how the team is remembered in both cities.

Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise delves into Phase 4 (2027–2028): Stadium Completion and Team Relocation. By July 2027, Rivertown Stadium is expected to be 90% complete, allowing the Browns to move their training camp to the new facility that summer. The team’s front office and administrative staff will relocate from Cleveland to Rivertown in October 2027, with players moving in February 2028 (after the 2027 season ends). A key milestone in this phase is the “Grand Opening Week” in August 2028, featuring a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (the Browns’ long-time rival), a concert by a local Rivertown artist, and a community open house. The team will also announce its final branding decision during this week—sources close to the franchise suggest they will keep the “Browns” name but adopt a new color scheme (navy blue, silver, and teal) to reflect Rivertown’s riverfront location. “Keeping the name is a way to honor our history, while the new colors represent our new home,” said DePodesta. For the Cleveland Browns, this phase is the physical realization of the relocation—moving from a city that has been its home for 80 years to a new community that will shape its identity for decades to come.

Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise wraps up with Phase 5 (2028–2030): Post-Relocation Evaluation and Growth. After the first season in Rivertown, the Browns will conduct a comprehensive review of the move—assessing ticket sales (which are projected to reach 90pacity in 2028), community engagement, and financial performance. The team will also launch a “Legacy Fund” in 2029, donating 1% of ticket revenue to both Cleveland and Rivertown charities each year. For the NFL, the relocation will be a test of whether expanding to a mid-sized market can succeed: Rivertown has a metropolitan population of 1.2 million, smaller than Cleveland’s 2 million, but has a higher median income and no other major professional sports teams. “This move is about growth—for the team, for the league, and for both communities,” Goodell said. In the end, Relocation Timeline Set for the Cleveland Browns Franchise is a story about change—painful for some, exciting for others, but inevitable in the ever-evolving world of professional sports. For the Cleveland Browns, the timeline is more than a list of dates; it’s a journey from one home to another, with the hope that the team’s legacy will endure in both places.