The 125-foot Red Zone Ferris wheel that once towered over Cleveland’s I‑X Center and later became a backdrop for selfies at Play‑Action Plaza in Canton’s Hall of Fame Village is officially up for sale, according to industry listings. The listing marks a clear shift at the Village as developers trim back outdoor amusements in favor of stadium-adjacent hotels and indoor attractions.
Wheel appears on industry marketplace
The ride is listed on Rides 4‑U with an asking price of $499,000. The vendor describes it as a 1991 Chance "Giant Wheel" and includes technical specs and photos. That description lines up with the Red Zone Ferris wheel the Village has been promoting at Play‑Action Plaza, according to the Hall of Fame Village entertainment pages (Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment).
Village officials say rides don't fit long-term plan
Hall of Fame Village leaders are not just quietly backing away from the midway vibe. In a statement to Cleveland.com, spokeswoman Anne Graffice said the outdoor rides "are not economically viable" and do not mesh with the project’s "football‑first" vision. The same report notes that the Forward Pass zipline and the Spike It drop tower are also up for sale as the Village reshapes its Play‑Action Plaza footprint.
From I‑X Center staple to Canton landmark
Before its Canton stint, the wheel spent years as a signature attraction inside Cleveland's I‑X Center, where it became a local icon before operators removed it in 2022. It resurfaced in 2023 in Canton as the Red Zone. News 5 Cleveland documented the I‑X Center farewell and the dismantling of the wheel that cleared the way for its relocation to Hall of Fame Village.
Why the change is happening now
The timing of the asset sales is not random. Shareholders approved a plan to take Hall of Fame Resort & Entertainment private, and the merger closed on Dec. 31, 2025, according to company filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Company statements and reporting by Cleveland.com say work has resumed on the football‑themed Gameday Bay indoor waterpark and that construction on a new hotel is expected to begin this spring.
What it means for Canton
The pivot reflects years of delays and financing pressure that led to a restructuring and a hunt for new capital, industry observers note. Coverage from hospitality consultants and the company’s own investor materials suggests the new private ownership group is steering toward higher‑margin hotel and indoor assets and away from carnival‑style hardware, a move aimed at freeing up cash and simplifying the overall campus layout (Hotel & Leisure Advisors; PR Newswire).
