Chicago Bears Aim for New Stadium by 2030

Team brass seeks swift progress on a domed venue in Arlington Heights or Indiana

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:28am

The Chicago Bears are pushing for a new domed stadium to open by 2030, with plans to build the facility either in Arlington Heights, Illinois or across the border in Indiana. Team leadership is seeking to accelerate the development timeline to replace their current home at Soldier Field.

Why it matters

The Bears' current home at Soldier Field is one of the NFL's oldest and smallest stadiums, lacking the modern amenities that teams and fans expect. A new, state-of-the-art domed stadium could help the Bears remain competitive and provide a major economic boost to the surrounding region through increased tourism and development.

The details

The Bears are exploring two potential sites for their new stadium - one in Arlington Heights, Illinois and another just across the state line in Indiana. Both locations offer advantages in terms of transportation access and available land. The team is pushing for a quick timeline to open the new venue by 2030, which would require swift approvals and construction.

  • The Bears currently play at Soldier Field, which opened in 1924.
  • The team hopes to open a new domed stadium by 2030.

The players

Chicago Bears

A professional American football team and member of the National Football League (NFL).

Arlington Heights, Illinois

A village located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, being considered as a potential site for the Bears' new stadium.

Indiana

The state across the border from Illinois, also being evaluated as a possible location for the Bears' new stadium.

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What they’re saying

“We're committed to delivering a world-class stadium experience for our fans, players and the entire Chicagoland region.”

— Ted Phillips, President and CEO, Chicago Bears

What’s next

The Bears organization will continue evaluating the Arlington Heights and Indiana sites, with the goal of selecting a final location and breaking ground on the new stadium in the coming years.

The takeaway

The Bears' pursuit of a new stadium represents a major development opportunity for the Chicago area, with the potential to drive economic growth and cement the team's future in the region. However, the quick timeline will require swift coordination between the team, local governments, and other stakeholders.