Health Officials Consider Cleveland Browns Request To Up Stadium Capacity

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Cleveland Browns kicked off the season only allowing 6,000 fans in FirstEnergy Stadium for the home opener.

That attendance cap is less than 10% stadium capacity.

But on Monday (October 5), perhaps feeling a lucky streak after winning against the Dallas Cowboys 49-38 on Sunday (October 4), word got out that the team is seeking permission from the Ohio Department of Health to expand its capacity.

Rather than limit the stadium — which can hold more than 67,000 —to only 6,000 fans, team owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam aim to allow 16,000 fans beginning with the game Sunday (October 11), WKYC reported. That’s nearly 24% stadium capacity.

“It is important to note that we would be opening new seating sections and concourse walkways to accommodate additional fans, ensuring the six-foot social distancing protocols are maintained,” the Haslams wrote in a September 29 letter to the Ohio Department of Health. They explained that there haven’t been any COVID-19 cases traced to the first home games this season.

Department of Health spokeswoman Melanie Amato told WKYC that details are being finalized, though the department hasn’t signed off yet.

The Browns are slated to play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday (October 11).

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