Additional Coverage:
- Chicago Bears officially announce plans to abandon historic stadium for out-of-state relocation (themirror.com)
The Chicago Bears are preparing to leave Soldier Field and Illinois after more than a century, announcing plans to develop a new stadium across the state line in Hammond, Indiana. This move would mark the end of the Bears’ 106-year presence in Illinois, where the franchise has long been a cornerstone of Chicago sports.
Soldier Field, nestled on Chicago’s Near South Side along Lake Michigan, has been the Bears’ home since 1971, following their relocation from Wrigley Field. As the oldest active stadium in the NFL, Soldier Field holds a rich history, but the team has sought modern facilities for years.
On Friday, the Bears’ board of directors confirmed their decision to advance a stadium project in Hammond, with the precise location yet to be determined. In a joint statement, Chairman George H.
McCaskey and President/CEO Kevin Warren emphasized the potential impact: “We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”
The team’s search for a new home has been ongoing. Soldier Field, originally opened in 1924 and last significantly renovated in 2003, no longer meets the organization’s needs.
The Bears had previously eyed Arlington Heights, Illinois, approximately 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field, purchasing land there to build a new stadium. However, political opposition focused on taxpayer costs stalled that plan.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker voiced his commitment to keeping the Bears in Illinois, stressing the importance of protecting taxpayers and ensuring fairness for businesses expanding in the state. Meanwhile, legislative efforts to facilitate a new stadium in Illinois faltered when the Illinois House adjourned without voting on a key bill, effectively delaying progress until at least November.
Hammond, located just across the Illinois-Indiana border about 30 miles south of Soldier Field, presents a geographically comparable option but represents a major shift for the franchise and its fans. The Bears’ roots run deep in Illinois, tracing back to their founding as the Decatur Staleys in 1919, their professional debut in Chicago in 1921, and the adoption of the Bears name in 1922.
This proposed relocation marks a historic turning point for one of the NFL’s most storied franchises as they prepare to embark on a new chapter outside their longtime home state.