Browns begin a two-phase modernization of their CrossCountry training facility, starting with expanded player locker space

Cleveland’s Haslam-Johnson ownership group is funding a $70 million upgrade designed to improve day-to-day preparation, recovery, and team learning at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

The Cleveland Browns will modernize their training facility at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus in a planned two-phase project, with the first phase centered on upgrading the player locker room.

Team officials said the project is funded through a $70 million investment by the Haslam and Johnson families, with the initial improvements targeted at player-facing spaces including the locker room and, later, the cafeteria, team auditorium, and position meeting rooms.

The first phase is scheduled to get underway after the 2026 season, with construction expected to begin around February 2027. The new locker room space is set to open in July 2027 ahead of training camp.

Cleveland’s planning process emphasized player input. Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Football Operations Catherine Hickman said the team surveyed players across the roster and then conducted a more targeted follow-up focused on the locker room and player lounge, including a short functional test of lockers using a lineman and a skills player.

According to the Browns, the player locker room will nearly double in size, growing from about 2,980 square feet to 4,800 square feet. The team also said each player will have twice the space currently available for an individual locker, with the locker footprint increasing to 40 square feet.

Beyond lockers, the new player lounge is planned at about 2,205 square feet and is designed as a recovery and relaxation space. The locker room suite is expected to include sauna and steam rooms, 18 showers, nutrition stations, a weigh-in area, and a barber space, along with a dedicated Fit Lab for equipment staff.

The second phase, intended to finalize key upgrades by June 2028, will include additional changes to support team instruction and nutrition. The Browns said the team auditorium will add more seating and larger seats, while the position meeting rooms will double in size and include a demonstration space that connects directly to the fieldhouse for learning and technique work.

Team officials also said nutrition-related upgrades are a major element of the modernization. The cafeteria will feature a larger preparation area, a longer serving line, coffee and grab-and-go options, and a new outdoor patio described as capable of hosting more than 50 people.

Why It Matters

The project is a direct investment in how the roster prepares and recovers during team operations, starting with the locker room, which team leadership described as the core of the facility.
Upgraded classroom-to-field access in the position meeting rooms is aimed at tightening the link between teaching and on-field technique, according to Browns officials.
Nutrition and dining capacity are being expanded in the cafeteria, reflecting how the organization says nutrition needs and approaches have evolved over the last decade.
The new locker room and lounge are intended to improve the day-to-day player experience, a focus the team said guided the scope of work from the planning stage.

Sources

Key Facts

The Browns announced a two-phase modernization of their CrossCountry Mortgage Campus training facility.
Ownership’s investment level for the project is described as $70 million.
Phase one focuses on the player locker room, with construction expected to begin around February 2027 and a July 2027 opening ahead of training camp.
Officials said the player locker room will expand from about 2,980 square feet to 4,800 square feet, with each locker’s footprint increasing to 40 square feet.
The second phase includes upgrades to the cafeteria, team auditorium, and position meeting rooms, with major delivery targeted by June 2028.
Cleveland said the design scope was shaped by player surveys and locker testing, including feedback from a lineman and a skills player.