Chicago Bears Advance Stadium Relocation to Hammond, Indiana
The Chicago Bears are one step closer to leaving Chicago after more than a century. On June 5, 2026, the team’s Board of Directors voted to advance a stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, approximately 30 miles south of downtown Chicago, according to an official statement from the team.
A Six-Year Search for a New Home
The Bears have called Chicago home since 1921, playing at Soldier Field — the NFL’s oldest and smallest stadium with a capacity of just 61,500. Their lease runs through 2033, but the team has spent six years exploring alternatives.
In February 2023, the Bears finalized the purchase of 326 acres of the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Illinois, for $197.2 million. However, that project stalled due to a property tax valuation dispute with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, who assessed the property at five times its 2021 tax value.
The team briefly pivoted to a proposed $4.7 billion domed stadium on Chicago’s lakefront in 2024, but Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed skepticism about taxpayer funding, and the plan ultimately collapsed. By December 2025, the Bears announced they were expanding their search to include Northwest Indiana after being told by Illinois leadership that their stadium project “will not be a priority in 2026.”
Indiana’s Swift Response
While Illinois deliberated for years, Indiana acted in weeks. Governor Mike Braun championed Senate Bill 27, which created a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to issue bonds for the project. The bill passed the Indiana legislature and was signed into law on February 26, 2026 — just 60 days after its introduction. Indiana offered up to $1 billion in incentives.
Braun welcomed the Bears in an official statement, saying: “We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the ‘85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come.”
Political Reactions
The decision has drawn sharply divided responses. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch defended the state’s position, noting that “Illinois has focused on the needs of working families who want relief at the gas pump, at the store, and on their insurance bills — not taxpayer-funded stadiums.” He added that Illinois “remains open to ongoing efforts to secure the Bears in Illinois.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson struck a dismissive tone, calling the announcement “not surprising” and noting that “without a final site selection, until we see shovels in the ground in Hammond, the City will continue to engage in discussions.”
Arlington Heights Mayor Jim Tinaglia was less restrained, calling the situation “clearly a fumble for the state of Illinois,” as reported by USA Today.
Environmental Concerns
The proposed site near Wolf Lake in Hammond has raised environmental red flags. According to reporting cited by USA Today, a nearby golf course was built on top of slag, and the area sits near hazardous waste sites, across from an oil tank storage complex, and in the shadow of the Midwest’s largest oil refinery.
Tinaglia, who is also an architect, warned: “I would throw up the red caution flags immediately.” However, Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott downplayed the concerns, saying “we’re not worried about the Bears finding anything that’s a deal-breaker.”
What Comes Next
The Bears have not yet selected an exact site in Hammond. Several critical steps remain before any move becomes final:
- Environmental review: The Wolf Lake area requires thorough assessment before construction can proceed.
- NFL approval: League owners must approve the stadium plan, including construction parameters, environmental impact, and financing.
- Soldier Field lease: The Bears’ lease runs through 2033, requiring either a buyout or continued play at Soldier Field during construction.
- Illinois counter-offer: While the window is narrowing, Illinois leaders have not ruled out a last-minute deal.
The Bears still own the Arlington Heights land, leaving that option technically alive should Illinois make a competitive offer. But with Indiana offering up to $1 billion in incentives and a streamlined legislative process, momentum is firmly on the side of a move across the state line.
For Chicago, losing the Bears would represent more than a sports relocation — it would mark the end of a 106-year tradition and a significant economic blow to the city’s identity. For Indiana, it would be a transformative win, bringing an NFL franchise to the state for the first time and potentially unlocking Super Bowls, college football playoffs, and major entertainment events for the region.