CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from March 4, 2021.
When the Cleveland Browns return to the field at FirstEnergy Stadium this fall, they hope to do so in front of a full capacity of fans.
But those purchasing tickets for the Browns' 2021 season will be doing so at a higher price.
On Monday, the Browns distributed renewal information to season ticket members, which included pricing details for 2021. Among the information contained in the e-mail was the news that the team would be raising the prices of season tickets for the coming campaign and that it hoped to host a full capacity of fans throughout the season.
The Browns, who reached their season ticket membership maximum for the 2019 and 2020 seasons, have now raised season ticket prices in four of the past 13 seasons. According to the e-mail, "more than 70 percent of the stadium’s non-club and non-premium locations will change by only $10-15 per game."
“While our main focus will always be on the well-being of everyone within our stadium – players, coaches and of course, our incredible fans – we are encouraged by the current developments related to COVID-19 in our region and hope that we will be allowed to have a full capacity at FirstEnergy Stadium this upcoming season," Browns Senior Vice President of Communications Peter John-Baptiste said in a statement. "Our team responded strongly to the limited number of fans we were able to responsibly host for all home games last year, and we know how incredibly important it is for our players and coaches to have fans in our stadium creating the best homefield advantage in the NFL.
"As we do each year, we evaluate our ticket pricing structure based on multiple factors to ensure that it is reflective of the current market, gives our season ticket members various flexible payment options and delivers value while creating the most memorable fan experience.”
The reason for the pricing increase is twofold. For one, Cleveland is coming off its best season since returning to the NFL in 1999, earning an 11-5 regular-season record and making the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 campaign. The Browns' victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round marked the team's first postseason win since 1994.
Additionally, the NFL is likely to expand its regular-season schedule to 17 games in the coming year. That would put Cleveland in line to host nine regular-season home games, as well as two preseason games in the coming year.
Last season, the Browns hosted fans in a limited capacity due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. After being allowed to host 6,000 fans at the first two home games, the team was permitted to host 12,000 fans through the remainder of the season.