Bengals secure prolonged 11-year agreement to stay at Paycor Stadium
The Cincinnati Bengals have sealed an 11-year lease extension with Hamilton County, securing their place at Paycor Stadium through June 2036, with an option to extend to 2046[1][2][3]. This lease agreement accompanies a $470 million renovation plan for the stadium, set to be completed by 2027.
The Bengals will contribute $120 million towards the renovation, with the County covering approximately $350 million. This investment by the Bengals represents about 75% of the new improvements to the stadium[4][5]. The upgrades planned for Paycor Stadium include enhancements to club lounges, stadium suites, concessions, scoreboards, and elevator improvements. The new lease and renovation aim to keep the stadium on par with other NFL venues and secure the Bengals’ presence in Cincinnati for many years[1][2].
The lease required formal approval by Hamilton County commissioners, which passed with a 2-1 vote, and the final agreement was completed in early August 2025 after some last-minute negotiations over lease terms and parking concerns related to future riverfront development[1][2].
Meanwhile, in Cleveland, city leaders have expressed a desire to keep the Browns at their lakefront home. The Browns' lease with the city expires at the end of the 2028 season. The team aims to leave their downtown venue and build an enclosed stadium in the suburbs, with the state intending to use $600 million in unclaimed funds to help construct the new stadium[6][7]. However, the Browns' proposed stadium construction is facing pushback, with a lawsuit claiming it is "unconstitutional and unlawful"[8].
In a separate development, the Bengals are expected to sign Noah Fant, a veteran tight end who has previously played for the Seahawks and Broncos. However, the signing of Fant is not directly related to the new lease agreement or stadium renovations[9].
References:
- https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/08/06/cincinnati-bengals-hamilton-county-reach-deal-11-year-lease-extension-paycor-stadium/
- https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-hamilton-county-reach-agreement-on-11-year-lease-extension-for-paycor-stadium
- https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-to-remain-at-paycor-stadium-through-2036
- https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-to-invest-120-million-in-paycor-stadium-renovations
- https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/08/06/cincinnati-bengals-paycor-stadium-renovation-costs-reduced-from-830-million/
- https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/08/ohio-state-intends-to-use-600-million-in-unclaimed-funds-to-help-construct-new-stadium-for-cleveland-browns.html
- https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/08/cleveland-browns-aim-to-leave-downtown-venue-and-build-enclosed-stadium-in-the-suburbs.html
- https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2025/08/lawsuit-claims-cleveland-browns-stadium-construction-is-unconstitutional-and-unlawful.html
- https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-expected-to-sign-noah-fant-veteran-tight-end-who-has-previously-played-for-the-seahawks-and-broncos
- Amid the Bengals' stadium renovation plans, the NFL football team is also looking to sign Noah Fant, a veteran tight end from the Seahawks and Broncos, though this move is not related to the new lease agreement or stadium improvements.
- The Bengals' 11-year lease extension with Hamilton County grants them a place at Paycor Stadium through 2036, with the option to extend to 2046, becoming a significant part of the sports industry's football news and General news.
- The latest NFL season may witness the Bengals hosting improved club lounges, stadium suites, concessions, scoreboards, and elevator amenities at the renovated Paycor Stadium, ensuring the venue's prominence within the NFL, specifically among general sports and football news.
