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The Chicago Bears have taken a significant step toward potentially relocating their future home stadium to Hammond, Indiana, after the team's board of directors approved moving forward with the project. While a final site has not yet been selected, the decision marks the first time the board has formally voted on a stadium location. The move follows a lack of legislative support in Illinois for stadium-related incentives and comes as Indiana continues to offer substantial financial assistance. If completed, the project could see the Bears play home games outside Illinois for the first time in the franchise's 106-year history.
The Chicago Bears have moved a step closer to building a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, after the club's board of directors approved plans to advance the project. The decision positions the National Football League franchise to potentially play its home games outside Illinois for the first time in its 106-year history.
In a joint statement, Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Warren said a specific stadium location within Hammond had not yet been finalized. However, they indicated that the proposed development could have a wider economic impact across the region by strengthening connections between Northwest Indiana and Chicago's South Side, while creating opportunities for residents and businesses across surrounding communities.
The board's approval is notable as it marks the first time the Bears have formally voted on any proposed stadium site during their long-running search for a new home venue.
The development comes shortly after the team confirmed it was continuing to evaluate stadium opportunities in both Hammond, Indiana, and Arlington Heights, Illinois. The Bears have been weighing multiple options as they look to secure a long-term solution beyond their current home.
Momentum for the Indiana proposal increased after Illinois lawmakers concluded their spring legislative session without passing a measure that would have supported the construction of a new stadium in the state. The proposed legislation would have enabled a publicly owned stadium structure, potentially reducing the Bears' property tax obligations.
The Bears already own approximately 326 acres at the former Arlington Park horse racing site in Arlington Heights, a property acquired several years ago and widely viewed as a leading location for a future stadium development.
The franchise has committed USD 2 billion toward stadium construction but has repeatedly stated that long-term tax certainty is essential before proceeding with any major project. Indiana has sought to strengthen its position by offering incentives worth up to USD 1 billion to support the development of a new stadium in Hammond.
Although no final decision has been made regarding a move from Illinois, Indiana Governor Mike Braun welcomed the Bears' latest decision. In a statement, Braun said the state looked forward to building a strong partnership with the franchise and believed the project could generate economic growth and new opportunities across the region for years to come. He also noted that attracting an NFL team to Northwest Indiana would provide a major boost to the local economy.
The Bears currently play at Soldier Field in Chicago under a lease agreement that runs through 2033. Any future move to Indiana would mark a historic shift for one of the NFL's oldest franchises and could reshape the sporting and economic landscape of the wider Chicago metropolitan region.
Source Reuters
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