The Chicago Bears playing in Indiana? Team expanding search for new stadium site
The Chicago Bears have expanded their search for a new stadium site beyond the state of Illinois. In a letter sent to fans Wednesday, Bears President Kevin Warren said Northwest Indiana is among the locations the franchise will explore to build a new domed stadium.
The franchise spent several years searching for a location for a new home after more than 50 years playing at Soldier Field in Chicago. Initially, the The Bears hoped to build the stadium in the northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights.. The franchise purchased the site in 2023, but Warren said in his letter that Illinois state leaders told him the project was not a priority for 2026. The Bears did not ask for taxpayer money to build the stadium, but wanted an infrastructure commitment for roads and utilities.
Prisco’s Week 16 NFL Picks: Seahawks top Rams on ‘TNF,’ Packers edge Bears, Jaguars upset Broncos
Pete Prisco
“Stable timelines are essential, as are predictable processes and elected leaders who share a sense of urgency and an appreciation of the public partnership that projects with this level of impact require,” Warren wrote. “We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation thus far. We have been told directly by state leaders that our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it would bring to Illinois.”
Warren’s solution: a potential move to northwest Indiana. The Indiana border is about 15 miles from Soldier Field, but having the team play not only outside the city of Chicago, but outside the state of Illinois would be a controversial move.
“Therefore, in addition to Arlington Park, we must expand our search and critically evaluate opportunities throughout the Chicago area, including Northwest Indiana,” the letter continues. “It’s not about leverage. We have spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County. We have invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and chose Arlington Heights rationally. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standards they strive for every day. With that in mind, our organization must keep all credible avenues open to secure that future.”
Warren had hoped to finalize the Arlington Heights stadiumThe plans to build in September, so they can bid for a Super Bowl by 2031.
The Bears, whose lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, are in the midst of their best season since going 12-4 in 2018. At 10-4, the Bears sit in first place in the NFC North and have a chance to pull away in a massive divisional showdown with the Green Bay Packers (9-4-1) at Soldier Field on Saturday night.
