Municipal Stadium

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Lore & Background

The stadium hosted three AAFC Championship Games and two NFL Championship Games while serving as the Browns' home. It was also the site of iconic football moments including Red Right 88. For football, the facility seated approximately 80,000 people, ranking as one of the larger seating capacities in the league. The structure was designed by Walker and Weeks and Osborn Engineering Company, featuring a robust design utilizing steel and concrete rather than early structural aluminum. Although plans were announced to renovate the stadium for continued Browns use after the Indians moved out in 1993, Modell cited the state of Cleveland Stadium as a major factor in his decision to move the team to Baltimore. The original Dawg Pound was established at this location before the franchise's departure.

In Their Own Story

In December 1995, the Cleveland Browns played their final game at Municipal Stadium. Following this match, the organization officially ceased operations in Cleveland for three seasons as part of an agreement between Modell, the city, and the NFL. The team was subsequently renamed the Baltimore Ravens. Prior to this departure, the stadium had witnessed decades of football history, including six NFL Championship Games and three AAFC titles. Art Modell had taken over control from the city in the 1970s; despite his organization making improvements, the facility continued to decline over time. The decision to move was driven significantly by the physical state of the stadium, which could not be sustained for future competition. Once the final whistle blew in 1995, demolition began in 1996 to clear the site for a new venue.

Reader's Guide

Visiting Municipal Stadium meant experiencing one of the largest seating capacities in NFL history at approximately 80,000 people. The facility was located just south of Lake Erie, where biting cold winds frequently blew into the stadium during winter and much of the spring and fall seasons. Fans attending games here witnessed historic moments like Red Right 88 and The Drive within a concrete bowl that hosted six NFL Championship Games. The stadium featured the original Dawg Pound section for fans. While it was an early multi-purpose stadium built to accommodate both baseball and football, its sheer size often made the environment feel cavernous during lower-attendance periods. Construction began after a 1928 voter levy passed with a 59% rate, though actual costs overran the $2.5 million estimate by $500,000.

Did You Know?

• The stadium hosted three AAFC Championship Games (1946–1948) and two NFL Championship Games (1950, 1954).
• It was the site of the original Dawg Pound and Red Right 88.
• Much of the debris from the 1996 demolition was placed in Lake Erie to create an artificial reef.
• Construction costs reached approximately $6.5 million, significantly exceeding the initial $4.5 million bond issue approved in 1930.
• The stadium opened on July 1, 1931, and hosted a heavyweight championship boxing match two days later.