SummerSlam is one of WWE’s big 4 premium live events, and now we know which city will host the event that has become an extravaganza. The company is leaning toward booking stadiums for their massive shows, and they did it again in Cleveland.
WWE, along with Haslam Sports Group and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, have announced that WWE SummerSlam is coming to Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
The event will be preceded by a series of activities spread across the week, including Friday Night SmackDown at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on August 2, along with various fan and community engagements leading up to and following SummerSlam.
Opened in 1999, Cleveland Browns Stadium hosts the NFL team and has a max capacity of approximately 67,000 people.
Ohio’s WWE Connection
This year marks SummerSlam’s return to Cleveland for the first time since August 1996. The city has hosted plenty of amazing shows for decades. Now, WWE is coming to the famous NFL venue where the Browns play on the gridiron.
Several active WWE Superstars hail from Cleveland and the state of Ohio, including Logan Paul, The Miz, Johnny Gargano. Alexa Bliss and the Creed Brothers.
Jon Moxley, Nic and Ryan Nemeth, Abyss, Madison Rayne and Shark Boy all hail from the Buckeye State, as did the late great ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage.
The Maverick Brings The Hype
Logan Paul United States champion first broke the news of SummerSlam coming to Cleveland on the March 12 episode ofd his Impaulsive podcast.
WWE’s reigning United States champion goes ‘big’ with everything he does, so he didn’t just reveal one of WWE’s biggest premium live events is coming to his home city. Logan Paul called out NBA kingpin LeBron James and rattled off several other celebrities who may be there, including comedian Dave Chappelle:
Cleveland SummerSlam Reactions
Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Chief Content Officer, expressed excitement about the collaboration:
“The city of Cleveland and WWE have a longstanding history. We are eager to bring SummerSlam, SmackDown, and a range of events to the town in collaboration with Haslam Sports Group and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.”
David Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer of Haslam Sports Group, added:
“We’re delighted to host WWE’s SummerSlam at Cleveland Browns Stadium this August and showcase the city’s offerings to the WWE Universe. Hosting such a prestigious event at our stadium will generate substantial economic benefits for the region and spotlight Northeast Ohio and Cleveland Browns Stadium as ideal destinations for major events.”
David Gilbert, President and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, echoed this sentiment:
“We are thrilled to welcome WWE this August, bolstering Cleveland’s reputation as a prime location for major U.S. events. SummerSlam 2024 is poised to be Ohio’s largest WWE event, providing a significant economic boost to our community while spotlighting Cleveland’s vibrant downtown, authentic experiences, and exciting attractions.”
SummerSlam 2023 Success
This announcement follows last year’s record-setting SummerSlam at Ford Field in Detroit, which established a new gate record for any non-WrestleMania event with $8.5 million until the 2024 Royal Rumble surpassed it. Additionally, it became the most-viewed SummerSlam in WWE history.
Cities are climbing over each other to host WWE events for a reason. Now, Cleveland will get one of the big 4 premium live events, and all the economic boost that will come with it.