The Chicago Bears' board voted to advance stadium development plans in Hammond, Indiana. The team has committed $2 billion in funding, following Indiana's passage of supportive legislation and Illinois' failure to provide property tax certainty for a proposed Arlington Heights site.
The Chicago Bears' board of directors has voted to advance plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, marking a significant step toward the franchise potentially playing home games out of state for the first time in its 106-year history. The team has committed $2 billion in funding for the project, and Indiana has offered up to $1 billion in incentives. This decision follows the adjournment of the Illinois legislative session without approving a bill that would have provided the Bears with property tax certainty for their proposed Arlington Heights site. The Bears currently own 326 acres at the former Arlington Park, and their lease at Chicago's Soldier Field runs through 2033. NFL officials are aware of the developments and have been in communication with both the team and state officials.
This decision signals a potential relocation for the Chicago Bears, impacting the team's fanbase, local economies in both Illinois and Indiana, and the broader NFL landscape.