Officials Will Allow 12,000 Cleveland Browns Fans In FirstEnergy Stadium

State health officials will allow the Cleveland Browns to increase stadium capacity beginning with Sunday’s game (October 11).

The Browns kicked off the season allowing only 6,000 fans at a time, which is less than 10% capacity in the stadium that can hold more than 67,000.

Late Monday (October 5), the Ohio Department of Health confirmed that it would allow the Browns to have 12,000 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam wrote a letter to the Department of Health on September 29, requesting to raise the cap to 16,000 fans. 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. They explained that there haven’t been any COVID-19 cases traced to the first home games this season.

It wasn’t immediately clear why the Ohio Department of Health settled on 12,000 fans rather than the 16,000 the Browns requested.

According to cleveland.com, Ohio Department of Health Interim Director Lance Himes explained in an email that there would be required health guidelines in addition to allowing 12,000 fans into the stadium.

For example, the Browns should ensure six-foot social distancing, continue to follow the Cleveland Browns’ Responsible Restart Plan, and cooperating with the Department of Health, among others.

The Browns will host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

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