Hamilton County Approves $184M Deal for Bengals Stadium Renovations

Hamilton County commissioners voted 2-1 to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Cincinnati Bengals for $184.5 million in initial upgrades to Paycor Stadium, marking the first phase of a four-phase, $830 million renovation project. The Bengals will contribute $120 million, half of which comes from an NFL loan, while the county will provide $64.5 million, primarily through a sales tax increase. The planned improvements, set to begin in February 2026, focus on upgrading suites, lounges, concessions, and vertical transportation like elevators and escalators. Commissioner Denise Driehaus supported the deal, citing the NFL loan as an important outside contribution, while Commissioner Alicia Reece opposed it, arguing that taxpayers are still bearing too much of the cost and that upgrades favor premium seating over more affordable sections. The agreement also positions the county and team to request $350 million from the state budget for future phases. The negotiations were contentious, with both sides previously accusing each other of defaulting on lease agreements.