In 2019, Ken MacDonald founded the Ottawa Browns Backers chapter to bring fans together in the city. His plan worked, and now fans gather at The Laugh Lounge in Ottawa, Ontario every Sunday to catch each Browns game.
But MacDonald's involvement through events such as the Presidents' Summit Weekend has snowballed into lasting friendships with Browns fans from all over the world.
"For me it's like a brotherhood (and) sisterhood, we all come and we get to talk (about the) Browns together," MacDonald said. "So having the Browns Backers and drawing Browns fans in was vitally important to me."
MacDonald, along with presidents from other chapters around the United States and other countries, met for a series of events from Aug. 20-23. Browns Backers Worldwide hosted the events as part of the 2026 Presidents' Summit Weekend, where leaders of different chapters came together for the first home preseason game against the Bills.
Browns Backers Worldwide is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the Browns. Officially recognized by the Browns, the organization is considered one of the largest official fan clubs in sports. Browns Backers Worldwide has over 300 chapters around the world, with members representing all 50 states and 14 countries.
"For me it's a sense of community," Big Apple Browns Backers of NYC president Noah Rosenberg said. "We see the same folks every single year, and then as someone who's been running Browns clubs for 15 years, it's nice to meet the new presidents and to try and give them pointers and tips on how they can grow their clubs."
The West Park Browns Backers hosted a welcome happy hour at PJ McIntyre's Irish Pub with the support of Browns staff for the first event of the weekend. There was a clear tote bag giveaway and a Browns Backer led T-shirt exchange. Former Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs put the stamp on an exciting opening night, making a special guest appearance and signing autographs for attendees, courtesy of Bud Light.
The Browns, with the support of Browns youth football and programs and the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network hosted the next event in the morning on Aug. 21. In the Lake Club at Huntington Bank Field, attendees assembled student and coach toolkits filled with items necessary for success in the classroom and on the football field. In total, the presidents assembled around 300 total toolkits. After the toolkit assembly, attendees participated in a mystery wall activity where they had the option to donate $50 for a signed mini helmet from a current Browns player. A raffle was also available, with the chance to win a full-sized helmet from RB Dylan Sampson, a signed football by RB Quinshon Judkins and a CB Denzel Ward jersey. All the money raised was donated to the Cleveland Browns Foundation.
To wrap up the morning, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Ted Tywang and Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel Glenn Cook held a Q&A panel. Tywang talked about the benefits of the new Huntington Bank Field in Brook Park that is being built while Cook discussed the Browns' 2026 draft class and notes on the upcoming season.
For MacDonald, who enjoys creating mock drafts and takes pride in knowing the Browns' personnel, getting to ask Cook a question was one of his favorite parts of the weekend.
"The inner workings of the Browns, if I can find that out, I love that," MacDonald said.
In the evening, the Browns hosted a cocktail party at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. During the event, attendees were surprised with a meet and greet from former Browns guard Joel Bitonio. Following the meet and greet, dinner was provided by a Fahrenheit food truck while tours of the Browns Experience Center at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus were held. A locker room sale ended the event, with select Browns memorabilia — including full-sized helmets — available for purchase. The money from the locker room sale was also donated to the Cleveland Browns Foundation. In total, the weekend raised $23,446.
On the day of the Browns' preseason matchup against the Bills, presidents from chapters around the country and the world lined the area just outside the main concourse around Huntington Bank Field four hours before kickoff for a premium tailgate experience. Milk-Bone took over one of the trailers for a Tail-Gate, featuring custom "treats" for humans and a mimosa bar to highlight the tail-wagging flavors fans can offer their pups.
Presidents in attendance had the chance to stand on the goal line to see the pre-game festivities up close. They then then watched the game together from the stands to celebrate a fun weekend of events, which ended with a farewell brunch on Aug. 23.
While the happy hours, Q&A panel and alumni meet and greets made for an action-packed weekend, seeing the other presidents was the highlight of the summit.
MacDonald and Tri-Valley Browns Backers president Becky Williams met through Browns Backers Worldwide. This year, instead of getting hotel rooms, MacDonald, Williams and nine other Browns Backers Presidents rented an Airbnb. For Williams, staying up at night after the events and getting to know each of the fellow presidents was one of the best parts of the experience.
"We're like a family," Williams said. "It's like a family reunion. "We block this week off (and) it's like the most important five days."
Visit brownsbackersworldwide.com to connect with other Browns fans and find more information on different chapters.
