Chicago Bears Explore New Stadium Sites
Officials from the Chicago Bears, including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, have toured potential sites for a new stadium. The team is reportedly considering multiple locations as they plan for the future of their home field. The tours took place ahead of the team's recent playoff victory against the Green Bay Packers.
- The primary suburban option is a 326-acre property in Arlington Heights, the former site of the Arlington International Racecourse, which the team purchased for $197.2 million. The total development, including a domed stadium and a mixed-use district, is estimated to cost around $5 billion and is projected to create more than 56,000 construction jobs. - In April 2024, the Bears also presented a plan for a new $4.7 billion publicly-owned domed stadium on Chicago's lakefront, adjacent to their current home. As part of this proposal, most of Soldier Field would be demolished, but its historic colonnades would be preserved. - The team's current lease at Soldier Field, the NFL's oldest and smallest stadium, runs through 2033. An early departure could cost the Bears a penalty; leaving in 2026 was estimated to cost $84 million. - A key motivation for a new, enclosed stadium is the ability to host year-round marquee events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, and major concerts. - Progress on the Arlington Heights site has been slowed by disagreements over property tax assessments and securing public funding for infrastructure improvements. - Due to the hurdles in Illinois, the team has officially expanded its search to include sites in northwest Indiana. A legislative committee in Indiana is actively considering a proposal to help finance a stadium for the team. - An Illinois House committee recently canceled a scheduled meeting to discuss a "mega-project" bill that could have provided tax certainty for the Arlington Heights development, further fueling speculation about a potential move out of state.
