Bears Eye $5B Stadium Sites in Arlington Heights and Hammond

The Chicago Bears have officially withdrawn plans to remain in Chicago, shifting their focus exclusively to potential stadium sites in Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana. The franchise is evaluating proposals for a new domed facility and surrounding mixed-use district, with projects at either location estimated to cost approximately $5-billion. The team aims to finalize a selection by late spring or early summer.

In Illinois, the team is looking at the 327-acre former Arlington Park horse-racing track, a site purchased from Churchill Downs Inc. in 2023. State legislators are currently debating a bill that would provide property tax relief for projects in the $100-million to $500-million range. Meanwhile, Indiana officials have proposed a site near Wolf Lake in Hammond, supported by the newly established Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. That proposal includes a public-private partnership funded by various regional taxes, where the team would be responsible for construction debt but exempt from property taxes on the stadium.