In preparation for the Cleveland Browns' 2019 regular season opener against Tennessee on Sunday and all regular season home games, the information below includes recommendations related to tickets, traffic, parking, stadium entry and other gameday components to help fans maximize their time and experience for Browns games at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Particularly given all 2019 Browns home games are sold out, fans are strongly encouraged to enter FirstEnergy Stadium early to ensure they are in their seats for kickoff and bolster the team's home field advantage while avoiding potential delays. Groups should plan to be in Downtown Cleveland prior to gameday road closures (1.5 hours before games – 11:30 a.m. for 1 p.m. kickoffs; see Traffic graphic attached) and arrive at stadium gates with ample time due to expected full-capacity crowds.
To keep fans updated on important timing elements on gameday, the Browns will set off pyrotechnics above FirstEnergy Stadium when gates open two hours before kickoff, as well as one hour prior to the game's start to remind fans to head toward and enter the stadium. Fans tailgating in several popular lots in Downtown Cleveland may expect an approximately 30-minute walk before reaching the stadium's gates for entry.
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 should have their tickets visible on their mobile devices when approaching FirstEnergy Stadium gates through Apple Wallet or the Browns Mobile App prior to walking to the stadium and approaching gates.
If fans experience any difficulty accessing tickets through the Browns Mobile App on gameday, they can seek assistance at the Browns ticket office, located on the south side of FirstEnergy Stadium next to the Browns Pro Shop. Fans may also contact the team's Membership Services department (440-891-5050) with questions prior to gameday.
Browns fans' pregame best practices to help ensure efficient entry to FirstEnergy Stadium:
- Download the Browns Mobile App and make sure it is updated prior to gameday
- Before gameday, access tickets and add tickets to Apple Wallet and/or transfer to friends, family members and guests
- Get downtown prior to 11:30 a.m.
- Head to FirstEnergy Stadium early to ensure efficient entry and access to seats by kickoff
- Have tickets visible on mobile devices when approaching FirstEnergy Stadium gates through Apple Wallet or the Browns Mobile App
1) Download the Browns Mobile App and make sure it is updated prior to gameday
- 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 maximize performance, fans should confirm they have the most updated version of the Browns Mobile App the day before the game.
- Through the Browns Mobile App, fans will also have access to the latest news, information and engaging content about the team throughout the year.
- The NFL is continuing its transition to mobile ticketing to improve efficiency at all stadiums. Through mobile ticketing, the league and teams can further assist the transmission of secure mobile ticketing so fans can confirm ticket authenticity.
2) Before gameday, access tickets and add tickets to Apple Wallet and/or transfer to friends, family members and guests
- Fans with Apple mobile devices should add tickets to their Apple Wallet for the most expedited entry into the stadium.
- Per security parameters, the phone must also be protected with a passcode, touchID or FaceID to use Apple Wallet ticketing.
- Within the Browns Mobile App, fans can securely transfer tickets to guests using a phone number or email address and are encouraged to do so prior to gameday.
- Tickets can be sent 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.
- When accessed, tickets will be displayed on all mobile devices with a dynamic barcode (see Mobile graphic attached).
- Fans may visit https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/tickets/mobile-ticketing for full details on secure digital ticketing, including detailed instructional videos about accessing and transferring tickets.
3) Get downtown prior to 11:30 a.m.
- Browns fans should arrive in Downtown Cleveland prior to 11:30 a.m. for 1 p.m. kickoffs, particularly due to gameday road closures (see Traffic graphic attached).
- 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.
- It is recommended that groups car pool or take public transportation, as feasible.
- Vehicles commuting into 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.
- 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 2when approaching from the west side of Cleveland and Superior Avenue off 90 W when coming from the east side.
- 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 ofNorth Marginal Road from East 55th Street (Exit 175 on I-90).
- Through the Browns Mobile App, fans can access WAZE to determine the best routes to Downtown Cleveland and desired parking lots (see parking below).
- Fans following @Browns and listening to the team's pregame radio broadcast on ESPN 850 will receive important updates on traffic patterns.
- Browns fans may also reserve parking spaces, including full-season parking options, in nearby parking garages and lots through Parkmobile in advance of the game or on gameday.
4) Head to FirstEnergy Stadium early to ensure efficient entry and access to seats by kickoff
- Browns fans, the best in the NFL, play a key role in the team's home field advantage at FirstEnergy Stadium.
- Particularly given all 2019 Browns home games are sold out, fans are strongly encouraged to enter FirstEnergy Stadium early to ensure they are in their seats by kickoff.
- Pyrotechnics above FirstEnergy Stadium will be launched when gates open two hours before kickoff, as well as one hour prior to the game's start to remind fans to head toward and enter the stadium.
- Fans tailgating in several popular lots in Downtown Cleveland may expect an approximately 30-minute walk before reaching the stadium's gates for entry.
5) Have tickets visible when approaching FirstEnergy Stadium gates through Apple Wallet or the Browns Mobile App
- To ensure the most efficient entry, fans should have their tickets visible through Apple Wallet or the Browns Mobile App prior to approaching the stadium gates. Per security parameters, the phone must also be protected with a passcode, touchID or FaceID to use Apple Wallet ticketing.
- For the best experience, Browns fans with Apple devices should add their tickets to their Apple Wallet well before heading to the stadium, ideally prior to gameday.
- Prior to entering the check-in line, fans should confirm that their secure digital tickets are open to help expedite their entry.
- To provide additional technical support or respond to questions, Browns staff members will be deployed immediately inside FirstEnergy Stadium's gates and outside of the stadium's main perimeter to assist fans.
For more information on mobile ticketing, visit www.clevelandbrowns.com/mobiletickets, which includes a complete instructional video walkthrough for secure mobile ticketing.
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.
As part of the team's fan-first efforts, the Browns also 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 be able to enjoy new activations, food and beverage portables and other amenities throughout the exterior concourse.
Additional information on the Browns Mobile App; FirstEnergy Stadium Pro Shop; Dawg Pound Drive; Cleveland Browns 50/50 Raffle; First and Ten Coin Toss Captain; new food and beverage options at the stadium; and NFL clear bag policy is available in the attached gameday info release sent during the preseason.
For more gameday details, visit www.ClevelandBrowns.com and www.FirstEnergyStadium.com.
