The Cleveland Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24 on Thursday, October 1, in the third annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Game, and downtown Cleveland felt it. If you are planning a game of your own, the next home date is Sunday, October 18, against the Baltimore Ravens at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, after the Browns visit the New York Jets on October 11.
The easiest way in: RTA rail
The Greater Cleveland RTA is the simplest way to avoid stadium traffic. The Red, Blue and Green Lines all serve Tower City Center downtown. On Browns home games and some major events, the Waterfront Line also runs from Tower City toward the stadium; RTA lists that service as effective August 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027. The stadium sits across the street from RTA’s W. 3 (Stadium) Station, and RTA has said rail service home is guaranteed for at least 90 minutes after games. RTA also lists no published Waterfront timetable online, so confirm times on riderta.com or by phone before you go.
Driving and parking
The official Browns lots are mostly for pass holders. For everyone else, the team’s gameday page lists standard, accessible and rideshare options and recommends booking parking in advance through JustPark.
For the Steelers game, the city announced road closures from 9 p.m.: East Ninth Street and West Third Street between Lakeside Avenue and the stadium, Erieside Avenue between them, the State Route 2 westbound exit at West Third and the eastbound exit at West Sixth. Parking was restricted from 4 p.m. to midnight, with ticketing and towing. Closures are set per event, so treat those as an example of how restrictive game nights can be.
Construction adds to the squeeze: the Memorial Bridges Loop project runs from June to mid-November, according to local reports. Expect busy restaurants and bars between 5 and 6 p.m. on game nights.
Bags, tickets and cash
Huntington Bank Field uses a clear bag policy: clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches, plus a small clutch. If you arrive with a non-approved bag, the Bag Check Tent at the stadium’s southwest corner charges $20 per bag, credit card only, and bags must be collected within 30 minutes after the event ends.
Tickets are handled in the Browns mobile app. Add them to your phone wallet at least 24 hours before the game, or use Express Access, which relies on facial authentication. Cash is no longer accepted inside the stadium, so bring a card or use Apple Pay.
One caveat
The Browns have announced a new Huntington Bank Field project, so details about the stadium experience may change over the coming years. For this season, check the official gameday page before each game.
More stadium guides
Doing a multi-city sports trip? We also cover Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
Sources: Cleveland Browns (gameday information and schedule), GCRTA, NFL.com and local traffic reports. Rules and service times can change, so verify before you travel.
