Cleveland - In preparation for the Cleveland Browns’ 2019 preseason home opener and all regular season home games, the Browns have continued their dedication to creating an exceptional experience for their fans and all visitors to FirstEnergy Stadium by adding new accommodations and spaces throughout the venue this year. The details below also include recommendations for traffic, parking and other gameday elements to help ensure fans maximize their time and experience at all Browns home games.
As part of the team’s fan-first efforts, the Browns have expanded the stadium’s footprint to assist with ingress, egress and flow within FirstEnergy Stadium. The new setup extends the perimeter on all sides of the stadium to create an exterior concourse. By adding this area, fans will have improved, direct access to more stadium spaces and escalators to reach their seats when entering the building, as well as enjoy new activations, food and beverage portables and other amenities throughout the exterior concourse.
Notably for the first time in 2019, everyone attending Browns games at FirstEnergy Stadium will use secure mobile ticketing (no hard copy or PDF tickets). To ensure the most efficient entry, fans are strongly encouraged to have the Browns Mobile App open with their mobile tickets visible on their electronic devices prior to approaching the stadium gates.
Browns Mobile ticketing (see Mobile Ticket Info attached):
- All attendees will use secure mobile ticketing to enter FirstEnergy Stadium. Secure mobile tickets will be accessible through the Browns Mobile App, which fans should download prior to gameday.
- To ensure the most efficient entry, fans are strongly encouraged to have the Browns Mobile App open with their mobile tickets visible on their electronic devices prior to approaching the stadium gates.
- Tickets can be transferred to other parties but may NOT be transferred via screenshots as each mobile ticket is designed with a dynamic barcode to help ensure its validity.
- For more information, visit https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/mobiletickets, including a complete instructional video walkthrough for secure mobile ticketing.
- As the NFL continues its transition to mobile ticketing to improve efficiency at all stadiums, printable PDF tickets are no longer available for entry at FirstEnergy Stadium or other NFL venues. In addition to providing mobile options at home games in recent years, the Browns have implemented mobile-only ticketing at training camp and other annual events to help educate fans as the NFL transitions to mobile ticketing availability.
- If fans experience any difficulty on gameday accessing tickets through the Browns Mobile App, they can seek assistance at the Browns ticket office, located on the south side of FirstEnergy Stadium next to the Browns Pro Shop.
Traffic/Parking:
- Arrive Early – Browns fans are encouraged to arrive to Downtown Cleveland by 5:30 p.m. for both preseason home games. Fans should also proceed to FirstEnergy Stadium early in order to ensure they are able to enter the game and be in their seats prior to kickoff.
- Traffic and road closures (see Traffic Info attached)
- Given the primetime kickoffs, daily Downtown Cleveland traffic is expected to be at a peak when most fans are heading into or moving through the city for both preseason games. In addition to planning accordingly, groups are encouraged to car pool or take public transportation, as feasible.
- Vehicles commuting into Downtown Cleveland are recommended to use alternate traffic routes and minimize usage of the Shoreway’s E 9th Street, Lakeside Avenue/W 6th Street and W 3rd Street, particularly approaching and after 6 p.m.
- Continuing in 2019, road closures of East 9th and West 3rd Streets will be implemented between Lakeside Avenue and FirstEnergy Stadium, including Shoreway/State Route 2 exits around the stadium. Rolling road closures will begin 1.5 hours prior to kickoff and end shortly after kickoff for preseason and regular season games.
- Recommended entry points to Downtown Cleveland are W 25th Street off Eastbound Route 2 when approaching from the west side of Cleveland and Superior Avenue off 90 W when coming from the east side.
- Through the Browns Mobile App, fans are encouraged to access WAZE to determine the best routes to Downtown Cleveland and desired parking lots (see parking below).
- Fans are encouraged to follow @Browns and listen to the team’s pregame radio broadcast on ESPN 850 for important updates on traffic patterns.
- Parking Lots
- Parking lots, managed by the City of Cleveland, located immediately around the stadium are pass-only lots, outside of ADA needs (as space permits). No cash parking is available in these locations, including the North Coast Harbor Lot and Dock 32.
- During the road closures that begin 90 minutes prior to kickoff (see above), all Browns parking pass holders and guests with disability drop-offs will only be able to reach FirstEnergy Stadium by use of North Marginal Road fromEast 55th Street (Exit 175 on I-90).
- With the Browns Mobile App, fans may access WAZE for a list of cash parking lots in Downtown Cleveland.
- Browns fans may also reserve parking spaces in other nearby parking garages and lots through Parkmobile in advance of the game or on gameday.
- Most recommended lots are located north of Superior Avenue and south of Lakeside Avenue and will help efficiently balance individual traffic time with a manageable walk to FirstEnergy Stadium.
- For more information regarding Downtown Cleveland transportation and parking options, visit the Cleveland Browns traffic and parking page at www.clevelandbrowns.com/parking or the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Cleveland page.
Browns Mobile App: In addition to accessing mobile tickets, the Browns Mobile App offers fans unique and exclusive content, as well as up to date information on the team on gameday and throughout the year. The Browns Mobile App is presented by Fifth Third Bank.
Once again this season, Browns fans inside FirstEnergy Stadium will also have the opportunity to buy tickets to the Cleveland Browns Foundation 50/50 Raffle directly through the Browns Mobile App, with all charitable proceeds benefitting the “Get 2 School, Stay in the Game!” Network and Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K).
FirstEnergy Stadium Pro Shop: Browns fans can help support their community when buying their favorite team gear at the FirstEnergy Stadium Pro Shop. Since April 2017, the team has donated 100 percent of its net proceeds from sales within the stadium’s pro shop to benefit Browns Give Back’s commitment to education and youth football. The Browns are the only NFL team to donate all of its Pro Shop net proceeds to community initiatives.
Aramark Food and Beverage: Each year, the Browns and hospitality partner Aramark strive to provide fans unique and diverse food and beverage options for anyone’s palette, as well as an emphasis on offering local fare.
In 2019, a Quaker Steak & Lube near Section 103 will be a new option to all fans within the stadium. The stand will serve wings, boneless wings, cheeseburgers and fries.
Food and beverage additions to FirstEnergy Stadium in 2019 will also include four new full-service bars in the upper concourses – two on each side of the 500 level (Brewski’s) and one on each side of the 300 level (EndZone Cocktails by Sections 319 and 348) – a new Walk Thru Bru beer store near Section 146 with a wide variety of craft beer, hard seltzers and canned cocktail options; and additional beer locations in the stadium’s new exterior concourse.
Additionally, multiple new, exciting options will be available at Cleveland chef partner stands, including B Spot, Great Lakes Cheesesteaks and Sawyer’s Street Frites and Sausage & Peppers. Among the selections debuting during the preseason is B Spot’s “Feeling Dangerous Burger,” which features pulled pork, bourbon BBQ sauce, spicy coleslaw, pepper jack cheese and habanero sauce.
Preseason TV: All four of the Browns’ preseason games will once again air locally live on News 5, in addition to a national NFL Network broadcast for the Cleveland-Indianapolis matchup (4 p.m. ET, Saturday, Aug. 17). Thirty-year sports broadcast veteran and longtime Browns fan Jay Crawford and former Browns QB Tim Couch will call the action, complemented by Browns Legend QB Bernie Kosar and former NFL and Ohio State CB Dustin Fox on the sidelines.
Fans can also turn on News 5 early for Browns Countdown, presented by Elk & Elk (30 minutes prior to kickoff), as well as stay tuned following the game for News 5’s postgame show.
Building the Browns: The winner of multiple Emmy awards, Building the Browns is the team’s documentary series that follows the Browns coaching staff, front office and players throughout the year. It provides inside looks at major annual events like the combine, draft and training camp, as well as games throughout the season.
New episodes will air on the Cleveland Browns YouTube page, while specials can be seen in Cleveland on News 5 each of the next four Sundays at 11:30 a.m. The show also airs on News 5 during the four weeks surrounding the NFL Draft.
Dawg Pound Drive: Dawg Pound Drive on Alfred Lerner Way, a 900-foot engagement space near FirstEnergy Stadium’s south gates, is an entertaining pregame area that is available to fans three hours prior to kickoff. Dawg Pound drive is free and open to all fans and features appearances from Browns alumni, photo opportunities with Swagger, DJs and live music, the opportunity to join the Browns First and Ten volunteering movement, food and beverage specials, inflatables for the entire family and more activities each week.
Browns Play Football! Month: As part of Browns Give Back’s commitment to Youth Football, the team will celebrate Browns Play Football! Month throughout August. The Browns will host youth and high school football teams as VIP guests at training camp and Browns games as part of the celebration, including the new “Bring the Dawgs Out” program where athletes and coaches greet Browns players as the take the practice field.
In addition to incorporating various in-stadium elements, local youth football athletes will compete during halftime of both Browns preseason games at FirstEnergy Stadium, as well as join their favorite NFL players on the sidelines during the national anthem. The teams represent multiple youth and high school football programs across the region, including the Browns Adapted Football League, Browns Rookie Tackle and Boys & Girls Club of Cleveland.
Browns Give Back 50/50 Raffle: The Cleveland Browns 50/50 Raffle will return for all Browns home games in 2019. By purchasing a ticket, Browns fans can support Ohio youth and the team’s efforts to improve education in Ohio, as well as have the chance to take home half of the day’s contributions. Through the Browns 50/50 Raffle, all of the net charitable proceeds will be donated to the “Get 2 School, Stay in the Game!” Network and Cleveland-based nonprofit Shoes and Clothes for Kids (SC4K). Both programs aim to increase school attendance and keep kids in school every day so they can succeed in the classroom and in life. Learn more by visiting Get2School.org and www.sc4k.org.
Raffle tickets can be purchased on gamedays from kiosk locations, uniformed sellers, the Browns Mobile App and Browns5050.com. New this year, mobile raffle tickets may also be purchased in certain areas of Downtown Cleveland through the Browns Mobile App or at Browns5050.com.
Earlier this month, the Cleveland Browns Foundation, Ohio Department of Education and Proving Ground at Harvard University today launched the “Get 2 School, Stay in the Game!” Network, a statewide initiative designed to promote the importance of school attendance and put an end to chronic absenteeism.
First and Ten Coin Toss Captain: Through Browns Give Back’s First and Ten volunteering movement, one Browns fan is recognized for exceptional work in the community with the once in a lifetime opportunity to serve as the team’s honorary captain and join the Browns on the field for the coin toss at each home game. Participants, who are selected for their efforts to #give10 and inspire others by sharing their stories online, are selected to represent various commitments and causes to improve the Northeast Ohio community through volunteerism, including youth football coaches, students who dedicate time to philanthropic organizations, community leaders and more.
Since First and Ten’s inception in 2014, Browns fans across the globe have combined to pledge nearly 2.5 million hours of volunteering within their local communities. In addition to joining the movement online (www.clevelandbrowns.com/brownsgiveback), individuals and groups have the opportunity to sign the pledge and receive a First and Ten wristband at Dawg Pound Drive before each home game, as well as throughout the year at Browns events.
Additionally, the Browns will celebrate the NFL’s 100th season through #BrownsHuddlefor100, a unique volunteering opportunity where all NFL fans are as ked to contribute 100 minutes of their time to giving back in their local communities.
The First and Ten volunteering campaign is the team’s community program, established to inspire fans to volunteer in and help their communities throughout the world by volunteering for at least 10 hours each year. Through First and Ten, the Browns are the only NFL club to promote a long-term volunteering program that unifies the team and its entire fan base, with the goal of impacting every individual’s city across the globe, as well as the franchise’s local community. All Browns fans are encouraged to join the volunteering effort by signing the First and Ten pledge on the team’s website and by sharing their stories with #give10.
All Clear: The NFL’s clear bag policy will again be in effect throughout the 2019 season.
It is recommended that fans do not bring bags to games, but each fan is permitted one clear plastic bag that does not exceed 12”x6”x12” OR a small clutch bag approximately the size of a hand. Backpacks of any kind and purses or other bags that do not meet these qualifications are strictly prohibited.
In the event fans are unable to return to their vehicles, they may take bags that do not adhere to the NFL All Clear bag qualifications to one Downtown Cleveland Alliance’s two bag checks, which are located on the southwest side of the stadium and the northeast side of the stadium. Fans may check their bags from pregame through 60 minutes after kickoff with a $10 contribution to the DCA, which manages the area. Unclaimed bags will be returned to the FirstEnergy Stadium lost and found.
For more information on the NFL’s policy, visit www.NFL.com/allclear.
For more gameday information, visit www.ClevelandBrowns.com and www.FirstEnergyStadium.com.
Ticket information: To acquire single-game tickets to preseason games, Browns fans can visit www.ClevelandBrowns.com/tickets, based on availability.
For both preseason home games, fans may also visit the Universal Windows Direct Cleveland Browns Will Call Windows on the south side of the stadium, located next to the Pro Shop, to acquire tickets or ask specific questions.
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