Chicago Bears Announce Plans to Build New Stadium in Indiana

Indiana lawmakers take major step forward in approving stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Chicago Bears have announced plans to build a new stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, after the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed an amendment to Indiana Senate Bill 27 that names Hammond as the location for the new Bears stadium. The amendment establishes the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority and Stadium Board, and allows for the enactment of a development district and tax area to help finance the project.

Why it matters

This move represents a significant shift for the Bears, who have played at Soldier Field in Chicago for decades. The proposed stadium in Indiana could provide the Bears with a modern, state-of-the-art facility and open up new revenue streams, but it also raises questions about the team's future in Illinois and the potential impact on the city of Chicago.

The details

The amendment passed out of the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee by a 24-0 vote. It details the creation of the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority and Stadium Board, as well as allowing for the enactment of a Northwest Indiana Stadium Development District and Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Area to be located in Hammond. The amendment also gives the Stadium Board the power to issue bonds and notes to finance the stadium's construction.

  • The Indiana House Ways and Means Committee unanimously passed the amendment on February 19, 2026.
  • Indiana Senate Bill 27, which establishes the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, was passed last month.

The players

Chicago Bears

The professional American football team that plays in the National Football League (NFL) and has called Soldier Field in Chicago home for decades.

Indiana General Assembly

The legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of Indiana, consisting of the Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Senate.

Hammond, Indiana

A city in northwest Indiana, located near the Illinois border, that has been identified as the proposed site for the new Chicago Bears stadium.

Todd Huston

The Republican Speaker of the Indiana House of Representatives, who personally sponsored the amendment to Indiana Senate Bill 27 that names Hammond as the location for the new Bears stadium.

Thomas McDermott Jr.

The Mayor of Hammond, Indiana, who expressed enthusiasm for the city partnering with the state and the Bears to make the new stadium project a success.

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What they’re saying

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Hammond is ready to partner with the State of Indiana, the Chicago Bears, and will do whatever it takes to make this project a success and to welcome the Bears to their new home. This move by the State of Indiana and the Bears tells the rest of the country that Indiana is not just keeping up — it's leading.”

— Thomas McDermott Jr., Mayor of Hammond, Indiana (Hammond news release)

“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. If approved, the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to complete this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly.”

— Mike Braun, Governor of Indiana (X (formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The proposed amendment to Indiana Senate Bill 27 must now be approved by the full Indiana House of Representatives before the details of the stadium deal can be finalized.

The takeaway

The potential move of the Chicago Bears to Indiana represents a significant shift in the NFL landscape and a major economic development opportunity for the state of Indiana. However, it also raises questions about the future of the team's relationship with the city of Chicago and the potential impact on Soldier Field and the surrounding community.