Soldier Field – design description

What is the Soldier Field renovation project about?

The Soldier Field renovation proposal was presented on July 25, 2022, by then-Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot. Its main goal was to persuade the NFL team, the Chicago Bears, to abandon their plans to relocate, as the team was planning to build a new stadium in the distant suburb of Arlington Heights.

The plan included three possible scenarios, with the most spectacular vision (and the most expensive – estimated at $2.2 billion) calling for a massive, glass-covered roof supported by four columns.

The second option was similar but more economical, without a roof, which could potentially be added later.

The third option was designed in case the Bears moved out – in this scenario, the stadium would be adapted for soccer matches (for Chicago Fire FC) and cultural events.

However, the Bears did not show much interest in the project, although they considered different scenarios, including building a new stadium right next to Soldier Field. Ultimately, in September 2025, they announced they would relocate to Arlington Heights.

Chicago Fire FC also presented plans for their own stadium in 2025. Given the departure of the major teams and a change in the mayor’s office, it is unlikely that Lori Lightfoot’s vision will be realized, but it may serve as a starting point for further discussions about the future of Soldier Field.

Why are the Chicago Bears planning to leave Soldier Field?

In 2021, the NFL team Chicago Bears expressed interest in purchasing the Arlington Heights racetrack, located in the far suburbs of Chicago, approximately 25 mi (40 km) from downtown. An agreement was signed on September 21, 2021 (with the transaction finalized in early 2023). On the site of the Arlington International Racecourse, the Bears planned to build a new stadium for their team.

The Chicago Bears have been playing at Soldier Field since 1971, located near downtown Chicago on the shores of Lake Michigan. While the central location has many advantages, it also creates traffic challenges and limits the potential for additional commercial developments around the stadium.

After a complete renovation in 2002–2003, the stadium gained an interesting, modern form, with stands located very close to the field. However, with a capacity of 61,500, it is currently the smallest stadium in the NFL. Following the construction of several very expensive, ultra-modern stadiums in recent years, such as SoFi Stadium and Allegiant Stadium (both opened in 2020), other NFL teams, including the Bears, began seriously considering improvements to their infrastructure.

What renovation plans for Soldier Field were presented?

In response to the Bears’ plans to relocate to the distant suburbs, then-Mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, presented renovation plans for Soldier Field on July 25, 2022. Three options were proposed.

The first and most spectacular option involved rebuilding the stands behind the end zones, where four massive columns would support a huge glass roof covering both the stands and the field.

The second option, similar to the first, also involved rebuilding the stands behind the end zones with the four columns, but in this scenario, the enormous roof could be added optionally at a later stage.

The third and most economical option focused on modernizing the stadium to better accommodate soccer matches as well as concerts and other non-sporting events.

The first option, with full coverage of the stadium, was certainly the most impressive. Under the roof, directly above the field, a circular panoramic video board would be installed, similar to the one at SoFi Stadium, though slightly smaller in scale. The stadium would not be fully enclosed – the space between the roof and the stands behind the end zones would remain open.

In the first two options, the stadium’s capacity would increase to 70,000 spectators. The plan also included expanding the number of luxury suites and concessions. The renovation was expected to help attract sponsors, including a potential naming rights partner. Depending on the chosen option, the estimated cost of the renovation ranged from $900 million to $2.2 billion.

What is the future of Soldier Field?

The main goal of the initiative was to encourage the Bears to abandon plans for a new stadium in the suburbs and remain in downtown Chicago. However, after the renovation plans for Soldier Field were presented, the Bears continued to push their vision of relocating to Arlington Heights, and on September 6, 2022, they unveiled a preliminary concept for developing the land of the Arlington International Racecourse.

By mid-2023, the Bears began signaling that the Arlington Heights stadium option was not yet finalized. The team was dissatisfied with the property tax levels they would face after building a new stadium, and negotiations on this matter did not yield satisfactory results.

At the end of 2023, reports emerged that one of the considered options was a site adjacent to Soldier Field, where a new stadium would be built (after which Soldier Field would be demolished). From early 2024, further reports confirmed this location as the team’s preferred choice, and on April 24, 2024, the concept for a new stadium to replace Soldier Field was officially presented.

More than a year later, in September 2025, the Bears announced a return to plans for building a new stadium in Arlington Heights. A new rendering was also unveiled, showing a stadium almost identical to the design for the proposed new arena next to Soldier Field.

At no point did the Bears show genuine interest in the Soldier Field renovation proposal presented in July 2022. It is worth noting that the third and most economical renovation option was largely designed with the Chicago Fire FC soccer team in mind; however, in June 2025, this team also unveiled plans for its own stadium at a different location.

Given the planned relocation of the major teams and the change in mayoral leadership, it is unlikely that any of the 2022 Soldier Field renovation options will be realized. Nevertheless, the debate about the stadium’s future is not over, and if the facility were to be preserved, the proposal could serve as a starting point for further discussions.