Kevin Warren, president and CEO of the Chicago Bears, confirmed in a letter to season ticket holders that the team is focusing on building a new stadium at the site of the former Arlington International Racecourse. This ends years of speculation about the franchise staying on the lakefront in Chicago.

No more hopes of staying in the city

Warren announced the plans ahead of the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, emphasizing that the team will construct a stadium with a fixed roof in suburban Arlington Heights. The club aims to host major events, including the Super Bowl as early as 2031. Relocating beyond Chicago city limits was not an easy decision. This project does not mean leaving the city; it means expanding it, Warren said.

The new stadium will feature a permanent roof and an adjacent commercial and entertainment complex. Bears hope it will host NFL games, NCAA Final Four tournaments, international soccer matches, and concerts. Construction is expected to create over 56,000 jobs, with 9,000 permanent positions afterward, generating $10 billion for the Illinois economy and $256 million annually in tourism and business growth.

© Hart Howerton / Chicago Bears

Why Arlington Heights?

Warren explained that the Bears evaluated several locations in Chicago, including the Museum Campus and the former Michael Reese Hospital, but none were suitable. Arlington Heights turned out to be the only site in Cook County that could accommodate the project while ensuring tax and infrastructure stability. Most season ticket holders live within a 25-mile radius of the new stadium, which will make it easier to serve fans.

Chicago had long tried to keep the Bears on the lakefront, even proposing a domed stadium at Soldier Field, funded with public money. The state authorities, however, did not approve public financing for construction, which led the club to choose Arlington Heights as the alternative. Warren stressed that the new stadium will deliver a completely different game-day experience and create an exciting new NFL venue for fans across Illinois.

Local authorities and residents are preparing to collaborate on the project, holding consultation meetings and analyzing traffic and economic impacts. Our priority is for the project to bring maximum benefits to the Arlington Heights community, wrote Mayor Jim Tinaglia. The Bears are coordinating with state officials, local business leaders, unions, and the community to secure favorable tax conditions and adequate infrastructure support. A preliminary 2024 agreement set the land value at $125 million and an annual tax of around $3.6 million, provided the site remains undeveloped.

© Hart Howerton / Chicago Bears