Chicago Bears Fans Could Be Heading Northwest to a New Stadium in Indiana
As the Chicago Bears gear up for their divisional playoff game at Soldier Field this Sunday, team executives are taking a step into the future by surveying season-ticket holders about a potential new stadium across the border in Indiana. The Bears sent out a survey last week asking fans how they'd feel about a Hoosier home field and what they're willing to pay for seats at a state-of-the-art dome with 15,000 parking spaces.
According to team officials, the new stadium would be located approximately 20 miles from Chicago, offering a modern "fan-first" experience surrounded by a vibrant neighborhood destination. The proposed site near Wolf Lake in Hammond or land near Gary's Hard Rock Casino are among the locations being considered.
The Bears have committed to paying $2 billion for the full cost of the new stadium, with taxpayer dollars needed for infrastructure upgrades. However, team chairman George McCaskey has indicated that they want state lawmakers to allow them to negotiate their property tax payments with local governments.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and legislative leaders in Springfield have expressed a willingness to provide financial support, but only if the Bears can demonstrate a viable plan for paying off debt at Soldier Field. "Building a stadium is about doing what's best for taxpayers," Pritzker said. "This is a private business, and I want to help if it's with infrastructure."
The survey comes after similar efforts by the team in Arlington Heights last year, which ultimately stalled due to opposition from Illinois lawmakers. With state senators set to convene later this month, there's hope that a solution can be reached.
Meanwhile, local leaders are urging the Bears to consider alternative sites, including the old Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville near 31st Street and the lakefront. As the Bears embark on their playoff push, fans will be watching closely for developments on this potential new stadium project.
In a statement, the team's spokesman said, "The survey is an important step in our evaluation process, helping us understand fan interest, accessibility, and experience preferences as we assess the feasibility of a potential stadium in Northwest Indiana." The Bears' playoff push has given fans a glimpse into what could be a major change for the team.
As the Chicago Bears gear up for their divisional playoff game at Soldier Field this Sunday, team executives are taking a step into the future by surveying season-ticket holders about a potential new stadium across the border in Indiana. The Bears sent out a survey last week asking fans how they'd feel about a Hoosier home field and what they're willing to pay for seats at a state-of-the-art dome with 15,000 parking spaces.
According to team officials, the new stadium would be located approximately 20 miles from Chicago, offering a modern "fan-first" experience surrounded by a vibrant neighborhood destination. The proposed site near Wolf Lake in Hammond or land near Gary's Hard Rock Casino are among the locations being considered.
The Bears have committed to paying $2 billion for the full cost of the new stadium, with taxpayer dollars needed for infrastructure upgrades. However, team chairman George McCaskey has indicated that they want state lawmakers to allow them to negotiate their property tax payments with local governments.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and legislative leaders in Springfield have expressed a willingness to provide financial support, but only if the Bears can demonstrate a viable plan for paying off debt at Soldier Field. "Building a stadium is about doing what's best for taxpayers," Pritzker said. "This is a private business, and I want to help if it's with infrastructure."
The survey comes after similar efforts by the team in Arlington Heights last year, which ultimately stalled due to opposition from Illinois lawmakers. With state senators set to convene later this month, there's hope that a solution can be reached.
Meanwhile, local leaders are urging the Bears to consider alternative sites, including the old Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville near 31st Street and the lakefront. As the Bears embark on their playoff push, fans will be watching closely for developments on this potential new stadium project.
In a statement, the team's spokesman said, "The survey is an important step in our evaluation process, helping us understand fan interest, accessibility, and experience preferences as we assess the feasibility of a potential stadium in Northwest Indiana." The Bears' playoff push has given fans a glimpse into what could be a major change for the team.
I'm all for it! A new stadium with 15k parking spaces sounds like a dream come true 
, especially if they can make it "fan-first" 
. I'd totally pay more for premium seats and amenities 
. Plus, it's about time the Bears get a modern home field 
. The location near Wolf Lake or Hard Rock Casino seems pretty sweet 
. Let's hope state lawmakers can work out a deal that works for everyone 
.
... but at the same time, I'm not sure about it 
. I mean, building a new stadium in Indiana sounds like a great opportunity, but wouldn't that just be moving problems around? It's not like they can escape all the issues with Soldier Field by just building something new across state lines 
.
. But what about the environmental impact? And how are they gonna deal with all the logistical stuff? It sounds like a whole lot of headaches 
.
.
. But for now, I'm just gonna wait and see how things play out 
like whats up with hammond or gary tho? 
we dont wanna lose our beloved soldier field 
so lets make some noise and get those state senators on board 
. And I don't know if 15,000 parking spaces is enough for all the season ticket holders who live in Chicago 
. Plus, if they're going to pay the full cost themselves, why do they need taxpayer dollars too? 
.
. Can't we just have an open and honest conversation about what this means for the community? And what's with the "fan-first" experience? Is that just code for "we want to make more money"? 
. I'm all for progress and stuff, but this feels like another one of those big changes that'll mess with the original vibe of Soldier Field. I remember when I was a kid, my dad used to take me to Bears games at Comiskey Park (RIP). It's gonna be weird to see the team playing in a new spot, you know? And $2 billion? That's just crazy talk 
.
I get it, it's about making the fan experience better and all that jazz, but can't they just renovate Soldier Field instead? 
That would save taxpayers a lot of money in the long run, you know?
. But, tbh, it's kinda pricey 
! And, um, isn't Indiana already like, super close to Chicago? Like, what's the point of being 20 miles away 
.
the $2 billion price tag is pretty steep tho, but hey, what's the alternative? keep playing at soldier field forever? 
. Indiana's got some awesome neighborhoods too - have you been to Gary or Hammond? The location makes sense, but I'm still skeptical about the debt at Soldier Field 
. As long as it's done with taxpayer support, not just Bears cash 
️
. I'm not sure if Indiana is ready for a big-time sports event like this. What do you guys think? Should Chicago keep its team, or would it be better off sharing with our northern neighbors? 
. On one hand, it makes total sense that they'd wanna build something more modern and fan-friendly 
.
. And then there's the financial aspect – $2 billion is no joke 
. But at the same time, I'm not sure I'd wanna leave Soldier Field behind 
. Plus, it's great that they're committed to paying $2b upfront - no more worrying about taxpayer dollars going towards infrastructure upgrades 
.
. Let's hope state senators can find common ground with the Bears and make this stadium project happen