Chicago Bears Explore Stadium Options Beyond Illinois

NFL team considers potential moves to Indiana and Iowa amid concerns over Soldier Field's limitations

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Chicago Bears, one of the NFL's oldest franchises, are exploring options to build a new stadium outside of Illinois. The team has purchased land in Arlington Heights, Illinois, but is also considering proposals from cities in Indiana and Iowa as it looks to address concerns over the aging Soldier Field's revenue potential and capacity constraints.

Why it matters

The potential relocation of the Bears would be a major blow to Illinois, costing the state thousands of union jobs and the economic impact of hosting a professional football team. The team's open letter to fans highlights the high stakes involved, as the Bears seek a new stadium that can generate more revenue and accommodate larger crowds.

The details

The Bears began in Decatur, Illinois in 1920 and have played at Soldier Field in Chicago since the early 1970s. However, with Soldier Field's capacity of just 61,500 and the team not owning the stadium, the Bears are exploring options to build a new, larger venue. The team has purchased the former Arlington Park Racetrack property in suburban Arlington Heights, but is also considering proposals from Hammond, Indiana and the Quad Cities region of Iowa.

  • The Bears finalized the purchase of the Arlington Park Racetrack property in February 2023 for $197.2 million.
  • In January 2026, the Indiana Senate passed a bill 46-2 to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to help finance a potential Bears stadium.

The players

Chicago Bears

One of the oldest franchises in the NFL, the Bears were founded in 1920 and have played their home games at Soldier Field in Chicago since the early 1970s.

Soldier Field

The home stadium of the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field was built in 1924 and has a capacity of 61,500, which the Bears view as limiting their revenue potential.

Kevin Warren

The President and CEO of the Chicago Bears, who released an open letter to fans outlining the team's concerns about the limitations of Soldier Field and the need for a new stadium.

J.B. Pritzker

The Governor of Illinois, who has stated that he is taking the threat of the Bears moving out of state seriously and is working with the team to try to keep them in Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“The stakes for Illinois are significant: thousands of union jobs, year-round attractions and global events made possible by a fixed roof stadium that would provide long-term revenue for the State. For a project of this scale, uncertainty has significant consequences. Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require. We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date.”

— Kevin Warren, President and CEO, Chicago Bears (Open letter to Bears fans)

What’s next

The Bears will continue to evaluate proposals from Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa as they determine the best location for a new stadium that can generate more revenue and accommodate larger crowds than the aging Soldier Field.

The takeaway

The potential relocation of the iconic Chicago Bears franchise highlights the challenges facing aging sports stadiums and the fierce competition between states and cities to attract and retain professional sports teams and the economic benefits they bring.