Chicago Bears leadership is expressing confidence about finalizing their new stadium plans following NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recent comments that time is running short for the franchise to make a decision.
Team president and CEO Kevin Warren shared his optimism during Wednesday’s NFL league meetings, stating the organization is in a strong position. “I recently said that the target is to make sure that we have a decision made by springtime here soon. Late spring, early summer would be that from a target,” Warren explained.
The Bears began pursuing a new venue five years ago when they acquired 326 acres in Arlington Heights, Illinois, a northwestern suburb of Chicago. However, the project has faced obstacles related to public financing, while Indiana has emerged as an alternative with proposals for a covered stadium in Hammond, just 35 miles from Chicago.
Both the Arlington Heights location and the Indiana option would feature indoor facilities. Bears chairman George H. McCaskey has set his sights on opening the new venue for the 2029 NFL season.
The team’s current venue, Soldier Field, dates back to 1924, making it the NFL’s most antiquated facility. While the Bears relocated there from Wrigley Field in 1971, the stadium lacks contemporary features found in newer arenas. With only 61,500 seats, it holds the distinction of being the league’s smallest capacity venue, and the Bears don’t have ownership rights, limiting their control over parking revenue, concession sales, and facility branding.
A renovation completed in 2002 has been widely criticized as an unsuccessful redesign effort.
Commissioner Goodell addressed the stadium situation during Tuesday’s proceedings. “They need to find a solution for a stadium,” Goodell stated at his annual meeting press conference. “They have looked not only in Indiana but also in Illinois at other sites, and invested in a site. I think they have been responsible in that fact.”
“I think it’s really important that they come to a resolution on this relatively soon. … This is an important time to get this resolved sooner rather than later,” Goodell added.
McCaskey has indicated he’s prepared to accept either location, even if it means leaving Illinois behind. “When the Bears moved from Wrigley Field to Soldier Field, it required an adjustment,” McCaskey noted. “When we went to Champaign, it required an adjustment. And whether we go to Arlington Park or to Hammond, there is going to be an adjustment period. People are going to have to be allowed some time to get used to it. I think Bears fans are up to it.”
