When you arrive downtown Thursday for the Browns preseason opener, FirstEnergy Stadium will look and feel different.
Here's a brief rundown of the upgrades and policies fans should know.
New concession stands
Food that was previously only available to suite holders has now been spread throughout the stadium. Michael Symon's B Spot, Chris Hodgson's Downtown Dogs, Jonathon Sawyer's Sausage and Peppers and Rocco Whalen's Great Lake Cheesesteaks are now located all around the 100 levels. Additionally, C-Town Eats and Cleveland Cocktail Co. have been spread throughout the concourses while all 35 concession stands have been remodeled.
Decorated concourses
Enlarged photos of Browns legends such as Jim Brown and Paul Brown, downtown Cleveland and the Dawg Pound have significantly changed the feel and look of the concourses. "Before, this looked like any stadium in the country," said team president Alec Scheiner. "Now, you know you are in Cleveland." Additionally, new LED lightning has brightened up the place.
Brand new premium club areas
The Browns have added more top-level entertainment areas and updated all amenities in those areas.
Club 46 is a brand new field-level hospitality area, something that was not available in the past. Located directly across from the locker room, Browns fans will enjoy a cocktail and food lounge with unparalleled access to the players as they run out of the tunnel and onto the field.
Upstairs, the Cleveland Club takes the place of Grill Club and has been expanded by 2,820 square feet. Multiple bars have been added to help with spacing, making the flow of traffic much smoother and lines shorter with additional points of sale.
On the north side of the stadium, The Draft Room, a new all-inclusive premium club that is modeled after the wildly popular nightlife area of West 25th Street in Ohio City, replaces Browns Town. The Draft Room features historical references to when players were drafted. Joe Haden is one of many prominent players featured. Other areas include the Lake and City Clubs, the former of which boasts a fantasy football area with 42 TVs.
Every suite has been re-done, too. New art, carpet, paint, furniture and televisions have been added to give it a more modern feel.
Reminder about the NFL's Clear Bag Policy
If you bring a bag to FirstEnergy Stadium, you need to make sure it fits into the NFL's guidelines.
Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" will be allowed inside the stadium. One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar) will also be tolerated. For more information on this rule, please visit the NFL’s FAQ site about bags.
