Chicago Sky Shifts Training Camp to Downtown Ahead of New Facility Completion

Team opts for private downtown housing and training space as construction delays impact new Bedford Park complex.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 4:35pm

The Chicago Sky have decided to hold their 2026 training camp in downtown Chicago while their new state-of-the-art training facility in Bedford Park remains under construction. This strategic move aims to provide players with a better experience, including private accommodations and shorter commutes, compared to the team's previous training location at the Sachs Recreation Center in the northern suburbs.

Why it matters

The Sky's decision to move training camp downtown highlights the challenges teams face in managing large-scale construction projects and the importance of prioritizing player experience and convenience. This temporary solution underscores the delicate balance between ambition and pragmatism in professional sports, as the team navigates delays in the completion of their new facility.

The details

The Sky's new training facility in Bedford Park, a public-private partnership with the Village of Bedford Park, was initially planned to open in December. However, weather conditions, including harsh winters, flooding, and severe storms, as well as additional facility expansions, have pushed back the timeline. As a result, the team has opted to hold training camp downtown, providing players with private accommodations and significantly shorter commutes compared to the Sachs Recreation Center, where they previously trained and shared semi-private spaces with the public.

  • The Sky's new training facility in Bedford Park was initially planned to open in December.
  • Due to construction delays, the team has decided to hold their 2026 training camp in downtown Chicago.

The players

Chicago Sky

The professional women's basketball team that plays in the WNBA.

Village of Bedford Park

The municipality where the Sky's new training facility is being constructed as a public-private partnership.

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What’s next

The Sky will continue to monitor the construction progress of their new facility in Bedford Park, with the goal of integrating it into their operations as soon as it is completed.

The takeaway

The Chicago Sky's decision to hold training camp downtown while their new facility is under construction highlights the challenges teams face in managing large-scale construction projects and the importance of prioritizing player experience and convenience. This temporary solution underscores the delicate balance between ambition and pragmatism in professional sports, as the team navigates delays in the completion of their new facility.