The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County have agreed to principal terms for a new lease that keeps the team in Cincinnati playing home games at Paycor Stadium through June 2036, with 10 additional option years that could extend the lease through June 2046.
“This is a significant day for the Bengals and Hamilton County as we secure the team’s future in Cincinnati,” said Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn. “We thank the Hamilton County Commissioners for supporting this agreement to ensure Paycor Stadium remains an excellent venue and a focal point for Cincinnati’s riverfront. We are proud to call Paycor Stadium our home and to keep our future here in Cincinnati, where it belongs.”
The agreement supports a reasonable approach to modernize the 25-year-old stadium at a time where other communities are faced with multi-billion-dollar new stadium projects. The $470 million renovation project will maintain a best-in-class NFL stadium that attracts major concerts and events to Cincinnati. The Bengals will invest $120 million in the renovation project, covering 75% of new improvements to the stadium. The team and Hamilton County will continue to work collaboratively to secure meaningful funding from the State of Ohio to further support the renovation efforts.
Paycor Stadium opened in 2000 when the Bengals and Hamilton County came together with a goal of transforming Cincinnati’s riverfront into a world-class sports and entertainment district. The Banks generates over $2.5 billion in annual economic impact, with the Bengals driving over $1 billion in annual economic impact. Under a new deal, the Bengals and Hamilton County are poised to continue transforming the riverfront, driving economic growth and delivering unforgettable moments for fans for years to come in downtown Cincinnati.
