Paycor Stadium continuing various upgrades

Oct 6, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view as the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals huddle before a play in the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

When the Cincinnati Bengals unveiled then-named Paul Brown Stadium back in 2000, it was a state-of-the-art facility for the team. But as the years wore on—and as advances in technology became increasingly difficult to keep up with—the team has continued its renovation of the now-renamed Paycor Stadium.

In conjunction with Hamilton County, the team is investing roughly $470 million in upgrades, with the county providing $350 million in support of these projects.

Recent years have seen the addition of a new, high-end Jumbotron, nearly 1,600 additional TVs throughout the stadium, and enhanced locker rooms. Now, ahead of the 2026 NFL season opener, more upgrades are underway.

Per the team’s official website, many facets of the fan experience will receive facelifts. Every suite and restroom will be renovated, while improved concession stands—and easier access to them—are also part of the plan.

Enhancements to the suite experience at Paycor include improved and additional staircases and escalators to and from those areas. The team’s Pro Shop is also part of the update plan, as it will be “reconfigured” and “modernized.”

A representative from the Bengals, Duane Haring, weighed in on the excitement surrounding these upgrades.

“We are fortunate to have a great foundation to work from,” says Duane Haring, the team’s director of stadium and event operations. “Paycor Stadium is well positioned for this modernization effort where we will marry the timeless beauty of the stadium’s architecture with a first-in-class fan experience now and into the future,” Haring said.

“These renovations would not be possible without our long-standing relationship with Hamilton County,” Haring says, “and their commitment to ensuring Paycor Stadium remains a first-class NFL facility for years to come.”

While many of these improvements are set to be completed before the first regular-season game in 2026, others may extend toward the end of the season and into 2027. Some of the upgrades visible next season will include enhanced and expanded video signage throughout the complex, along with improved access to various areas of the stadium.

The Cleveland Browns were recently granted approval to pursue a new $2.4 billion stadium project elsewhere in the state. Browns ownership is expected to directly contribute roughly two-thirds of the cost, while public funding could reach upwards of $900 million. Huntington Bank Field, where the Browns currently play, opened in 1999.

Cincinnati isn’t expected to get a new stadium in the foreseeable future, but the team and county have committed significant resources to returning Paycor Stadium to state-of-the-art status while continuing to improve the fan experience.