Featured image credit: Cleveland Browns Stadium
US wrestling promotion WWE has continued its recent strategy of staging its annual SummerSlam at an NFL stadium, with the announcement that Cleveland Browns Stadium will play host to this year’s event on August 3.
WWE has agreed the deal with Haslam Sports Group, parent company of the Browns, and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. WWE will take over the city of Cleveland throughout SummerSlam week, with Friday Night SmackDown set to be held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, home of the NBA’s Cavaliers, on August 2, and a variety of fan and community events scheduled.
Cleveland is home to several WWE athletes, including Logan Paul, The Miz and Johnny Gargano, and yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) announcement marks the first time that SummerSlam will be held in the city since 1996.
“We’re excited to bring WWE’s SummerSlam to Cleveland Browns Stadium this August and provide the WWE Universe with all our city has to offer,” said Haslam Sports Group chief operating officer, David Jenkins.
“Hosting this premium live event at our stadium will create tremendous economic impact for the region and further showcases Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Browns Stadium as a terrific option to host major events.”
David Gilbert, president and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, added: “This year’s SummerSlam is expected to be the largest WWE event ever hosted in Ohio and will bring significant economic impact to our community as it highlights Cleveland’s vibrant downtown, authentic experiences and exciting attractions.”
The announcement comes on the heels of last year’s record-setting SummerSlam which took place at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. At the time, the event set a new gate record for any non-WrestleMania with $8.5m (£6.64m/€7.78m) until the 2024 Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, eclipsed that mark.
SummerSlam had traditionally been held in arenas, however yesterday’s announcement means that four consecutive editions will have been staged at NFL stadia. Prior to last year’s event, the 2021 and 2022 SummerSlams were held at Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders) and Nissan Stadium (Tennessee Titans).
The Browns last month said they are “methodically looking at every possibility” amid a report the team had a deal in place to acquire a parcel of land outside of the city that could house a new stadium.
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