Renovations, new stadium under debate for Cincinnati Bengals

Paycor Stadium’s owners are considering all options as they prepare to renegotiate their lease with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2026.

The commissioners of Ohio’s Hamilton County — which owns the venue formerly known as Paul Brown Stadium and leases it to the NFL team — are debating whether to green-light renovation plans for the stadium that has been home to the Bengals since 2000.

The county and the team hired Gensler Sports to do a capital assessment for the potential renovations but also asked the firm to include the possible costs for building an entirely new stadium.

In May 2022, the firm found that basic repairs for upgrades to steel ramps and rails, seats, and electric and plumbing systems would cost upwards of $493 million. Other upgrades such as those to add new luxury lounges, high-end food and drink, signs, and scoreboards, would cost an additional $200 million.

The county isn’t ruling out building a new stadium depending on the results of Gensler’s report, which it has asked to have by December.

The commissioners have expressed their desire for the current or potential new stadium to play host to other events besides NFL games, such as concerts. It also hopes to better integrate the stadium with downtown Cincinnati.

“We have an asset that costs us 365 days,” said Hamilton County commissioner president Alicia Reece. “We’ve got to have events happening as many days as possible.”