Illinois loses Bears stadium bid as Indiana moves faster on financing
Illinois loses Bears to Indiana after failing to approve stadium financing while Indiana secured approval in under 60 days.
Event / Sports
Chicago Bears Stadium Relocation
The Chicago Bears board voted to advance stadium development in Hammond, Indiana, marking the first board vote on a specific stadium site. Indiana has offered up to $1 billion in incentives, while Illinois failed to pass comparable measures, making Arlington Heights no longer competitive. The Bears have committed $2 billion to the project and expect to finalize their decision by early summer.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 6 Jun, 02:01 UTC
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What happened
Chicago Bears announce relocation to Hammond, Indiana for new stadium development
The Chicago Bears Board of Directors voted to advance stadium development plans in Hammond, Indiana, approximately 25 miles from Chicago. The team stated the exact site in Hammond remains to be selected but the relocation decision represents a shift after 106 years of operations in Chicago.
Bears currently operate Soldier Field, NFL's oldest and smallest stadium
The Chicago Bears play at Soldier Field, which holds the distinction of being the oldest and smallest stadium in the National Football League. The team's lease at Soldier Field extends through 2033.
Illinois legislature adjourns without approving stadium financing bill for Bears
The Illinois General Assembly concluded its spring session without passing legislation to provide public funding for a new Bears stadium. The House had passed a megaprojects bill that would have included stadium financing incentives, but the Senate did not bring the measure to a vote.
Kevin Warren hired as Bears president to deliver stadium deal
Kevin Warren was hired as Chicago Bears president in January 2023 specifically due to his track record of delivering a stadium deal for the Minnesota Vikings. Warren made securing a privately-built, team-owned stadium his first priority.
Bears purchased Arlington International Racecourse property for $197.2 million
The Bears acquired the shuttered Arlington International Racecourse site for $197.2 million under former team president Ted Phillips, without first securing legislative approval to develop the property into a stadium.
Bears pursued multiple stadium locations across Chicago metro area over several years
The Bears explored several potential stadium development sites across the Chicago metropolitan area during multi-year negotiations, including lakefront options south of Soldier Field, Arlington Heights, and other locations. The team ultimately failed to secure public funding commitments in Illinois for any of these proposals.
Indiana approves stadium financing package for Bears in less than 60 days
Indiana lawmakers approved a funding package for the Bears stadium development in Hammond within approximately 60 days, providing local tax incentives and financial support for the project. This contrasted with Illinois' inability to secure similar legislation.
Illinois legislature fails to pass stadium authority legislation for Arlington Heights site
Illinois lawmakers closed out their spring legislative session without approving legislation that would have allowed Arlington Heights to establish a public stadium authority to own a new Bears stadium. A bill that would have allowed Cook County municipalities with at least 70,000 residents to create their own financing authority passed the Senate but the House adjourned before voting on it.
Chicago Bears president Kevin Warren aims to finalize stadium decision by early summer
Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren stated that he would like the stadium project to be certain by early summer. The team said it would finalize its evaluation of both Arlington Heights and Hammond while remaining on the late spring/early summer timeline previously communicated.
Illinois governor cites unwillingness to provide billions in taxpayer subsidies for Bears stadium
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated that his state had not passed stadium authority legislation in part because he was unwilling to give up billions of dollars of taxpayer money to provide it to a billionaire-owned family or team.
Chicago Bears commit $2 billion to stadium project
The Chicago Bears have committed $2 billion to their stadium project. Under the terms of the Indiana stadium deal, the Bears will keep all revenue generated by the stadium and have the option to buy it back in 40 years, when Indiana taxpayers will have paid off the bonds.
Chicago Bears purchase Arlington Heights property for $197.2 million
The Chicago Bears purchased the 326-acre former Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights, Illinois for $197.2 million in February 2023. The team had been in escrow on the property after submitting a bid to purchase it from Churchill Downs, Inc. in June 2021.
Hammond mayor expects Bears decision within 30 days
Hammond mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said he expects a decision from the Bears regarding the Indiana stadium within 30 days. McDermott stated that Indiana completed what was asked of it while Illinois could not, expressing confidence that the Bears would choose Hammond.
Indiana legislature passes stadium authority bill and offers Bears up to $1 billion in incentives
Indiana lawmakers passed a bill establishing a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance, construct and lease a domed stadium, which was signed into law by Governor Mike Braun in February. Indiana is offering the Bears up to $1 billion in incentives to relocate to Indiana, with the stadium authority backed by taxes on admissions, hotels, restaurants and tolls.
Chicago Bears' current lease at Soldier Field extends through 2033
The Chicago Bears' lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, though the team can pay to break the lease early. The Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field in 1971 and renovated the stadium during the 2002 season.
Chicago Bears board of directors votes to advance stadium development in Hammond, Indiana
The Chicago Bears' board of directors voted on Thursday to advance the team's stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana. This marked the first time the franchise's board has voted on any specific stadium site. The exact site in Hammond is still to be selected, with discussions mentioning land near Wolf Lake.
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2 alternative perspectives
Bears timeline crystallizes: Arlington purchase, Hammond decision window set
Bears secure Arlington land as Hammond awaits 30-day decision window.
Bears advance Hammond stadium plan as Indiana offers billion-dollar incentives
Bears advance Hammond stadium development after Indiana offers $1 billion in incentives and Illinois declines comparable subsidies.