A $470 million investment by the Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County secures the team’s presence in Cincinnati until 2036, a commitment deemed crucial for the city’s athletic and economic prospects.
At a Glance
- The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County have agreed to a new deal for a $470 million renovation of Paycor Stadium.
- The agreement extends the Bengals’ lease, keeping the team in Cincinnati through at least 2036.
- Hamilton County will contribute a capped amount of $350 million, while the Bengals and the NFL will provide $120 million.
- For the first time, the Bengals will be required to pay rent to use the county-owned stadium.
A Landmark Deal to Keep the Bengals in Cincy
The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County have reached a landmark agreement on a new lease framework that secures the team’s future in the city for at least the next decade. The deal, announced on Thursday, June 26, 2025, centers on a $470 million plan to renovate and modernize the 25-year-old Paycor Stadium.
Under the terms of the new 11-year lease, the Bengals are committed to staying in Cincinnati through June 2036, with options that could extend the agreement to 2046. “This is a significant day for the Bengals and Hamilton County as we secure the team’s future in Cincinnati,” Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn said in a statement. “We are proud to call Paycor Stadium our home and to keep our future here in Cincinnati, where it belongs.”
The Financial Framework
The $470 million renovation will be funded through a public-private partnership. Hamilton County’s contribution will be capped at $350 million, a key provision designed to protect taxpayers from future unknown costs. According to The Athletic, this is a major benefit for the county compared to the previous lease. The Bengals and the NFL will contribute the remaining $120 million.
In another significant change, the new lease requires the Bengals to pay rent on the county-owned facility for the first time. The team will pay $1 million annually for the first three years, with the amount increasing to $2 million per year thereafter.
A “Smarter” Deal for Taxpayers
County officials praised the agreement as a much-improved deal for taxpayers. The previous lease, which funded the original construction of the stadium, had been widely criticized for placing an overwhelming burden on the public and for having vague liabilities for future upgrades.
“The old lease allowed the Bengals to come in and ask for enhancements relative to the market, so we always had this undefined liability,” Hamilton County Commission President Denise Driehaus said, as reported by The Associated Press. “That is something that keeps you up at night. This is capped. That is a great benefit to the county.”
While specific renovation details have not yet been released, they are expected to include improvements to club lounges, suites, concessions, and scoreboards, ensuring the stadium remains a premier venue and a focal point of Cincinnati’s riverfront development.
