Bears and Indiana Governor Tout Progress on New Stadium

Indiana legislature passes bill to pave way for Bears move to Hammond

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Chicago Bears have continued to express interest in moving their home stadium to Indiana, and the state's governor and legislature have taken steps to facilitate that process. Indiana Senate Bill 27, which would provide for a state-owned stadium that the Bears would play in, has strong support, and the Bears have released a statement praising the progress made.

Why it matters

The potential move of the Bears from Illinois to Indiana would be a major shift in the NFL landscape, with significant economic and civic implications for both states. The Bears' current home, Soldier Field in Chicago, is aging and the team has long sought a new, state-of-the-art facility.

The details

Indiana's Senate Bill 27 would establish a framework for the state to own and operate a new stadium that the Bears would call home, located near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond. The bill has garnered support from Indiana Governor Mike Braun and state legislative leaders. The Bears have expressed commitment to completing necessary due diligence to support their vision for the new stadium, which they say would be a "world-class" venue.

  • On February 19, 2026, the Bears released a statement praising the progress made on Indiana Senate Bill 27.
  • On the same day, Indiana Governor Mike Braun touted the state's efforts to attract the Bears and the proposed new stadium deal.

The players

Chicago Bears

The NFL franchise that has played its home games in Chicago since its founding in 1919.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun

The current governor of the state of Indiana, who has been a vocal supporter of efforts to bring the Bears to Indiana.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

The current governor of the state of Illinois, who has been less enthusiastic about using taxpayer dollars to help the Bears build a new stadium in the state.

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What they’re saying

“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”

— Chicago Bears (nbcsports.com)

“Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears. We've identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal.”

— Indiana Governor Mike Braun (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The potential move of the Bears from Illinois to Indiana highlights the ongoing competition between states to attract and retain major sports franchises, with significant economic and civic implications. The progress made on Indiana Senate Bill 27 demonstrates Indiana's efforts to position itself as a pro-business environment willing to invest in large-scale projects like a new NFL stadium.