Photo: Courtesy of the Cleveland Browns; illustration: Jake Underwood
CLEVELAND– Haslam Sports Group (HSG) announced today additional events and activations surrounding “Faceoff on the Lake,” presented by Meijer, on Saturday, Feb. 18, at FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Monsters are now scheduled for an outdoor “home” game at FirstEnergy Stadium.
HSG and Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) will host contests during the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight high school ice hockey state tournament rounds.
HSG will also offer private ice rental windows for local hockey team practices, family and corporate gatherings, and other functions, as well as timeframes that will be open for a public skate with a confirmed reservation. HSG and the Browns will also work with Browns Give Back and Stay in the Game! Network leadership to create unique opportunities for youth and community partners to enjoy the rink and festivities.
“When discussing Faceoff on the Lake, we recognized there were multiple opportunities to engage sports teams and fans from all levels of competition, as well as our entire community,” said HSG Chief Commercial Officer Eric Clouse. “In addition to hosting high school, college and professional hockey games, we have created several weeks of programming that will provide ways for everyone in Northeast Ohio to enjoy the special atmosphere at FirstEnergy Stadium, including through community activations.”
The Monsters and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins – the top affiliates of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively – will faceoff at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, during the “Cleveland Monsters Outdoor Classic” at FirstEnergy Stadium, the first professional outdoor hockey game in Cleveland. Following a 24-hour presale for Monsters Hockey Club Members; Browns and Columbus Crew Season Ticket Members and Waitlist Members; and HSG partners; tickets will be publicly available at noon on Wednesday, October 12 at clevelandmonsters.com/outdoorclassic.com or by calling 216-420-0000.
“We are thrilled to bring the spectacle of outdoor hockey to Northeast Ohio with the Cleveland Monsters Outdoor Classic at FirstEnergy Stadium,” said Mike Ostrowski, President of Franchise Properties for Rock Entertainment Group, which includes the Monsters and the NBA G League’s Cleveland Charge. “The home of the Browns will be a fantastic setting for this historic American Hockey League event, and we can’t wait to see fans from across the region gather at the lakefront to watch the Blue Jackets’ and Penguins’ stars of tomorrow battle on the outdoor ice.”
“Cleveland is a remarkable sports’ city, and the passion of fans in our region is at the heart of it,” added Clouse. “Along with the Browns, FirstEnergy Stadium has been home to the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams, local high school programs and many major concerts and events, and we know the Monsters and their great fans will bring exceptional energy to the venue during the city’s first professional outdoor hockey game.”
FirstEnergy Stadium will serve as the host site for select OHSAA Sweet 16 ice hockey playoff games on Feb. 25-26. Four high school programs reaching the Elite 8 will play on Friday, March 3 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
More information about opportunities to attend all ticketed events and reserve rink time will be shared as it becomes available.
The Big Ten Network will air the Buckeyes-Wolverines hockey rivalry matchup at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 18, for “Faceoff on the Lake,” presented by Meijer. It marks the first-ever hockey game played at the venue.
Tickets to Faceoff on the Lake are available through Ticketmaster or the Browns Mobile App. Fans interested in a suite, premium hospitality, and group offerings may contact Browns membership services through tickets@clevelandbrowns.com or 440-891-5050.
In 2022, HSG and the Browns once again held multiple major non-football events at FirstEnergy Stadium. Monster Jam played the venue for the first time on July 2, while the stadium also hosted Live Nation’s “The Stadium Tour,” headlined by Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard (July 14), and Machine Gun Kelly’s “Mainstream Sellout Tour,” which concluded in front of a sold-out crowd during MGK’s first-career stadium performance. The “TopGolf Live Stadium Tour” also came to FirstEnergy Stadium from July 28-31.
Additionally, HSG has hosted various major events in Columbus at Lower.com Field, the OhioHealth Performance Center, and Historic Crew Stadium, most recently highlighted by Kenny Chesney’s “Here and Now Tour” at Historic Crew Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 18. The venues have also recently collaborated with the OHSAA for high school playoffs and championships matches, including boys and girls soccer and lacrosse.
About Haslam Sports Group
Haslam Sports Group (HSG) embraces the positive impact of sports and its unique opportunity to unify communities. Through the Haslam and Johnson families’ network of industry experience and relationships, their mission is to create world-class organizations that achieve sustainable success, provide a best-in-class fan experience and give back to their region. They see themselves as stewards of true community assets. HSG looks to invest in strategic sports and entertainment opportunities. Haslam Sports Group’s current portfolio includes the Cleveland Browns and operating rights to Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, as well as investments in HSG Ventures, HSG Facilities, and other entities. For more information, visit haslamsports.com.
FACEOFF ON THE LAKE TRAFFIC & PARKING INFORMATION
Fans attending Faceoff on the Lake this Saturday (Feb. 18) are strongly encouraged to arrive downtown before 2 p.m. and be aware of all road closures and access routes to FirstEnergy Stadium (see the Traffic graphic attached)
- Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive in Downtown Cleveland before 2 p.m. for Saturday’s 4 p.m. start, mainly due to road closures (see the Traffic graphic attached).
- Fans should also proceed to FirstEnergy Stadium early to ensure they can enter the game and be in their seats before the puck drop.
- Vehicles commuting into Downtown Cleveland should use alternate traffic routes and minimize the usage of the Shoreway’s E 9th Street, Lakeside Avenue/W 6th Street, and W 3rd Street.
- Similar to Browns home games in 2022, 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 approximately two hours before kickoff and end after postgame egress is complete.
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. Additionally, this recommendation to use W 25th Street off Eastbound Route 2 is notable as W 6th Street will be closed as part of the rolling pregame road closures.
- The North Coast Harbor Lot, Great Lakes Science Center Garage, and Orange Lot are reserved for individuals who secure passes before the event (no cash parking), except for ADA parking needs.
- Parking passes can be purchased via Ticketmaster before the event, as quantities remain available since cash parking will not be available on game day.
- During the road closures that begin approximately 120 minutes before the event’s start (see above), all parking pass holders and guests with disability drop-offs will only be able to reach FirstEnergy Stadium by use of North Marginal Road from East 55th Street (Exit 175 on I-90).
- Please note that RTA service on the Waterfront Line remains suspended due to safety concerns related to the Waterfront Line Bridge. RTA cannot provide alternate service due to normal gameday congestion and street closures. Fans riding the Red, Green, or Blue Lines to Tower City are directed to walk north on West 3rd Street to FirstEnergy Stadium.
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