Domed Stadium

[jj22]

I'm going to try to sneak this in Jungle noise with good intentions so hear me out.

With the factory of sadness closing down and the Browns leaving Cleveland I was expecting there to be some push back specifically with the move to a domed stadium. What I found when I spied their board is that fans believe the open air stadiums are outdated and the generation that loved weathered football games are long gone.

Their arguments.

1. People know now the dangers of sitting in cold / extreme weather and the risk is no longer worth the bragging rights.
2. The new generation fans prefers comfort.
3. The new generation players prefer to play in domed stadiums.
4. More women, children, families are watching football along with the elderly (the old generation that was used to these freeze bowl games). These populations are at risk of health hazards in these extreme weather environments.
5. As the league moves to 18 game regular seasons, deeper into February. Open roof stadiums will become extinct in the next 10 years.
6. Fans choosing not to attend bad weather games doesn't depend on team record. Even if the team is good, the generation that would sit through these games are slowly dying off.

So my question to you is would you support Cincinnati eventually closing up Paycor? Do you hold onto the "extreme weather is home field advantage" narrative? Are those days gone forever?

[*pally*]

(07-11-2025, 08:57 AM)jj22 Wrote: I'm going to try to sneak this in Jungle noise with good intentions so hear me out.

With the factory of sadness closing down and the Browns leaving Cleveland I was expecting there to be some push back specifically with the move to a domed stadium. What I found when I spied their board is that fans believe the open air stadiums are outdated and the generation that loved weathered football games are long gone.

Their arguments.

1. People know now the dangers of sitting in cold / extreme weather and the risk is no longer worth the bragging rights.
2. The new generation fans prefers comfort.
3. The new generation players prefer to play in domed stadiums.
4. More women, children, families are watching football along with the elderly (the old generation that was used to these freeze bowl games). These populations are at risk of health hazards in these extreme weather environments.
5. As the league moves to 18 game regular seasons, deeper into February. Open roof stadiums will become extinct in the next 10 years.
6. Fans choosing not to attend bad weather games doesn't depend on team record. Even if the team is good, the generation that would sit through these games are slowly dying off.

So my question to you is would you support Cincinnati eventually closing up Paycor? Do you hold onto the "extreme weather is home field advantage" narrative? Are those days gone forever?

building a new stadium...yes
renovating Paycor-no

[BengalsBong]

Yes, for a dome. You left out the best reason is Joe Burrow and how much we throw the ball the wind can affect the ball when thrown.

As well as rain and a wet ball or snow.

Field goal tries.

Being able to use the dome for other events in Cincy making the team and county/city more money.

[HarleyDog]

The Browns are leaving Cleveland?

[jj22]

(07-11-2025, 11:12 AM)HarleyDog Wrote: The Browns are leaving Cleveland?

Yes, they'll be the Brook Park Browns.

They'll still be called the Browns for short tho. 

[Essex Johnson]

I was a bit unsure what you meant by "it never mattered" but I voted that since the debate of dome stadium in Cincy is "it never mattered" since the two parties county and bengals had decided no dome. I also question that attendance is lacking in the NFL because of weather, weather does not drive attendance, winning does and loyal fan bases. Look at Pittsburgh they have not won a playoff game since 2017 and only one league champ since then and have great attendance. The Bengals last two years no playoffs and have had great attendance. Finally the trend of weather in states has been trending warmer winters, 21st century is becoming better weather to play football not worse.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

I thought the county contributing $350m to renovations was already too much.

The potential plans to add a dome was $1.25b and would take four years (so realistically probably $1.5b-1.7b and 5+ years because no giant project runs on budget and on time). If the Bengals want a dome, they can pay for it themselves.

[*ochocincos*]

(07-11-2025, 11:06 AM)BengalsBong Wrote: Yes, for a dome. You left out the best reason is Joe Burrow and how much we throw the ball the wind can affect the ball when thrown.

As well as rain and a wet ball or snow.

Field goal tries.

Being able to use the dome for other events in Cincy making the team and county/city more money.

100% this.

What is the actual benefit of playing football outdoors in the elements?
Wouldn't we want to make it as friendly on the team and fans as possible?
Is it just about being "tough" to sit outside in inclement weather and hot September days and freezing temps after Nov?
There's a reason Super Bowls are usually played indoors or in southern states where it's not freezing cold. It provides the best product on the field and best experience for the fans in attendance.
TV broadcasts are also getting better and better for how close they get to the action and clarity. Back in the 80s and before, the broadcast was not nearly as good (from footage I have seen, I did not watch football in the 80s and prior myself). Heck, you're almost better off nowadays watching a game on TV to get a better view than watching in the nosebleeds/back of the endzone seating, especially for the cost.

[BengalYankee]

As a New Yorker, I say build the biggest, greatest dome stadium in the world and foot the bill with the local communities.  




Here is another New Yorker who wants the dome Huge.

[jj22]

(07-11-2025, 11:35 AM)Essex Johnson Wrote: I was a bit unsure what you meant by "it never mattered" but I voted that since the debate of dome stadium in Cincy is "it never mattered" since the two parties  county and bengals  had decided no dome. I also question that attendance is lacking in the NFL because of weather, weather does not drive attendance, winning does and loyal fan bases.  Look at Pittsburgh they have not won a playoff game since 2017 and only one league champ since then and have great attendance.  The Bengals last two years no playoffs and have had great attendance. Finally the trend of weather in states has been trending warmer winters, 21st century is becoming better weather to play football not worse.

Stands at Steelers games last year looked empty. Like old Paul Brown Stadium days. 

I do agree it seems a teams record would dictate if you'd sit in freezing temps or not.

The "it never mattered" would be to the argument of a domed stadium or open air stadium as in you don't have a preference, or think it makes much difference in your fan experience. 

[jj22]

I may be old but I do like games played in the elements. Snow games, seeing the heat from the breathing Olineman pre snap. Hoping that a domed team or Florida team struggles when they play in below 30 degree temps.

It just seems like how football is played. But as Browns fans are saying, maybe that is outdated. I thought they'd care because of the tough elements (that haven't really helped them). That may not be a thing for the younger generation.

Teams used to not be able to kick FG's at Steelers stadium. So there was benefits to not having a domed stadium. Or maybe there wasn't and it was all a myth. 

[BrownAssClown]

I think Paycor should be used for about the next 10 seasons but plans should start for a new stadium in about 5 years. I would hope they would plan to build a retractable dome as the next Jungle so you could have both open air and a dome just the for bad weather games. I would not try to convert the current stadium to a dome.

[Whacked]

I personally enjoy the unpredictability-variable that weather brings adds to the game.

It’s an extra layer/dimension of intrigue and it just seems “right” for NFL football.

[Luvnit2]

I think the Bengals, county and city missed the boat and should have waited to renovate and agreed to put the money towards a brand new domed stadium or better yet one with a retractibe roof. The roof would still allow some games to use the elements while giving many more uses for the stadium year round.

I do not know if hey have land needed to build a new stadium without getting rid of Paycor first. If they did, to me a grea plan would be to buiild the new retaractible roof stadium. Once it is completed, build a 40 story hotel where Paycoe sits right now.This additional hotel space would help us attract more events like a Super Bowl game, final fours and concerts to help the city. county and team to recoup their investment. They could own the hotel and hire a management company to operate it. If not own, that land is expensive and I am sure there would be a hotel that would love to build an iconic hotel right by the new stadium, and very close to US bank, GABP and the west side new soccer fcility.

The 40 story hotel be equipmed with 8 to 10 restaurants and multple bars, even shopping. The parking could be undeground and help with game or event day parking as well.

It won't happen, but that woud be my desired outcome.

[BengalYankee]

(07-11-2025, 12:02 PM)jj22 Wrote: I may be old but I do like games played in the elements. Snow games, seeing the heat from the breathing Olineman pre snap. Hoping that a domed team or Florida team struggles when they play in below 30 degree temps.

It just seems like how football is played. But as Browns fans are saying, maybe that is outdated. I thought they'd care because of the tough elements (that haven't really helped them). That may not be a thing for the younger generation.

Teams used to not be able to kick FG's at Steelers stadium. So there was benefits to not having a domed stadium. Or maybe there wasn't and it was all a myth. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

Couldn't really vote, I like games played in the elements and get what BengalsBong, Ochocincos and BengalYankee said at the same time.

[J24]

Personally, I would like to keep the elements a factor in Football but from an economic standpoint it makes much more sense to have a dome stadium. Especially, if it is paid with tax payer money.

[ERIC1]

(07-11-2025, 11:06 AM)BengalsBong Wrote: Yes, for a dome. You left out the best reason is Joe Burrow and how much we throw the ball the wind can affect the ball when thrown.

As well as rain and a wet ball or snow.

Field goal tries.

Being able to use the dome for other events in Cincy making the team and county/city more money.

Interesting how some of the best quarterbacks and teams in the NFL do quite well in open air stadiums

[ERIC1]

(07-11-2025, 03:20 PM)J24 Wrote: Personally, I would like to keep the elements a factor in Football but from an economic standpoint it makes much more sense to have a dome stadium. Especially, if it is paid with tax payer money.

Wrong...it would be costly and you are assuming that we will get other major events like NCAA turnements etc...we wont..cincinnati does not have the hotel and ammenity structure

[ERIC1]

(07-11-2025, 01:31 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I think the Bengals, county and city missed the boat and should have waited to renovate and agreed to put the money towards a brand new domed stadium or better yet one with a retractibe roof. The roof would still allow some games to use the elements while giving many more uses for the stadium year round.

I do not know if hey have land needed to build a new stadium without getting rid of Paycor first. If they did, to me a grea plan would be to buiild the new retaractible roof stadium. Once it is completed, build a 40 story hotel where Paycoe sits right now.This additional hotel space would help us attract more events like a Super Bowl game, final fours and concerts to help the city. county and team to recoup their investment. They could own the hotel and hire a management company to operate it. If not own, that land is expensive and I am sure there would be a hotel that would love to build an iconic hotel right by the new stadium, and very close to US bank, GABP and the west side new soccer fcility.

The 40 story hotel be equipmed with 8 to 10 restaurants and multple bars, even shopping. The parking could be undeground and help with game or event day parking as well.

It won't happen, but that woud be my desired outcome.

I think both the bengals and the county did the correct thing..Paycor is in great shape..we could use some larger scoreboards and of course a permanent indoor practice fiel..plus being on the river is exceptional..Cincinnati simply does not have the hotel and ammenty infrastructure and nobody is going to invest in a 40 story super hotel..nonsense