THE BENGALS have struck gold with a whopping $470 million renovation deal for Paycor Stadium.
The deal secures the home of the Cincinnati football team for years to come.
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In a major move the NFL team has inked an 11-year lease extension with Hamilton County, locking in the Bengals through 2036.
They also have a possibility to extend with five optional two-year extensions that could stretch the deal out to 2046.
The stadium will get a total facelift with new scoreboards, swankier suites and lounges, brand-new seatings, retail spaces and a full overhaul of elevators and escalators.
Hamilton County is footing the lion’s share of the bill, $350 million, with the Bengals chipping in $120 million.
Katie Blackburn, Bengals EVP, couldn’t hide her excitement: “This keeps Paycor Stadium on par with other top-tier venues and cements the Bengals’ place as the centerpiece of Cincinnati’s riverfront.
“Most importantly it guarantees that the Bengals are here to stay.”
The 25-year-old stadium was long overdue for a refresh but unlike other aging NFL venues in cities like Washington, Cleveland, and Denver, Cincinnati is opting for a major upgrade instead of a full rebuild.
The original plan would have been a jaw-dropping $830 million overhaul, but this deal slashes that figure down to a more manageable sum.
Hamilton County commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas called it a win-win: “We’ve struck the right balance—protecting public funds.
“But it ensures Paycor Stadium remains the Bengals’ home for years to come. This deal sets things straight after years of uncertainty.”
But not everything is smooth sailing in Bengals country.
With one deal signed, the Bengals are still stuck in a contract standoff with star defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has been holding out and racking up fines—$450,000 worth—while the two sides remain at an impasse.
Hendrickson, fresh off a stunning 2024 sack title, is eyeing the ongoing contract drama between the Cowboys and Micah Parsons, with his own payday likely to be influenced by how the Parsons deal shakes out.
