KEY POINTS
- Chicago Bears board advances stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana.
- Decision follows failed Illinois tax incentive efforts and complex site pivots.
- Indiana created a stadium authority as teams nationwide pursue new venues.
The Chicago Bears' board of directors voted Friday to advance the football franchise's stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, marking a decisive break from a years-long effort to secure tax incentives and keep the Bears playing home games in Illinois.
"Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state!" a statement from Indiana Governor Mike Braun's office proclaimed Friday, referencing the nickname for Indiana residents.
"We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city," a joint statement attributed to Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and president & CEO Kevin Warren said.
Hammond is roughly an hour-long drive from downtown Chicago, according to Google Maps.
Move comes after Illinois officials failed to act
The announcement came just days after the Illinois House adjourned its spring legislative session without taking up legislation that would have allowed Chicago and its Arlington Heights suburb to establish local stadium authorities; a strategic move that would have kept the Bears from paying taxes as, technically, the stadium would have been owned by the public authorities.
Hoosiers, help me welcome the Chicago Bears to our great state!
— Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) June 5, 2026
We look forward to building a partnership as strong as the '85 Bears defense, creating opportunities and economic growth that will benefit our state and the Bears organization for decades to come.
An NFL franchise… https://t.co/l3eUHzUrCk
Timeline of the Chicago Bears' stadium search
The Bears' stadium search has been a messy one. Here’s the timeline:
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2021: The team previously signed a $197 million agreement for 326 acres in Arlington Heights.
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2022: The Bears then unveiled a nearly $5 billion enclosed stadium concept for that site. Contractors and estimators can track the details of the proposal, thanks to ConstructConnect Project Intelligence: Domed Stadium – Chicago Bears.
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2023 – 2024: The team pivoted toward a new stadium next to the Bears’ current home, the historic Soldier Field. Contractors and estimators can also track the details of this one through ConstructConnect Project Intelligence: Chicago Bears Lakefront Stadium.
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2025: Team officials reversed course back to Arlington Heights.
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2026: Now the Bears appear poised to cross state lines entirely, setting up shop in Hammond, Indiana.
How long have the Bears played in Chicago?
The Bears have played in the heart of Chicago for over 100 years, calling Comiskey Park home from 1921 to 1971. They then moved to Soldier Field, which opened in 1924. It is currently the oldest active stadium in the NFL, although it was heavily rebuilt in the early 2000s.
Green Bay, the new home of the NFL's oldest stadium
Some Bears fans may not want to read this, but, if this truly is the end of Soldier Field in the NFL, Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will become the league's oldest. The home of the Green Bay Packers opened in 1957. The Bears and Packers have been bitter rivals for over 100 years.
Bears' new Indiana location not yet known
Indiana moved aggressively to accommodate the team. A state House committee passed a bill in February establishing a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance, construct, and lease a facility. The Bears had been evaluating land near Wolf Lake in Hammond before Friday's board vote, although the team says an exact location for the stadium is still to be determined.
The Bears: Not the only NFL team playing in a different state
The Bears wouldn't be the only NFL team playing home games in a different state. The New York Giants and New York Jets both play their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
In 2031, the Kansas City Chiefs will join this list. That's when the team is expected to start playing at a new dome in the State of Kansas. The Chiefs had played across the border, in Missouri, since 1963.
Will they be called the Indiana Bears now?
'Absolutely not' is a safe bet. While there has been no official word from authorities that the team would change its name, the Chicago Bears are an original NFL Team (debuting as the Decatur Staleys in 1920, before moving to the Windy City) and it's hard to argue with 100+ years of brand recognition.
For what it's worth, Indiana Gov. Braun's statement welcoming the team referred to the "Chicago Bears" multiple times, with no mention of "Indiana Bears," at all.
However, using it for some playful ribbing may not be out of the question. Back in 2012, then New Jersey Governor Chris Christie jokingly insisted on "New Jersey Jets" as that team's true name.
Soldier Field loses another major league team
The Bears' move is another blow to Soldier Field, as its other big tenant, Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, announced late last year they were also leaving for a new stadium. As ConstructConnect News reported back in October, this one, however, will remain in the City of Chicago.
What happens to Solider Field now? Full-time concert venue likely
Local TV station Fox 32 Chicago ran a segment back in February, asking what would happen to Soldier Field if they lost the Bears. At that time, guest journalist Mack Liederman said plans were being pitched to turn the stadium into a year-round concert venue. In August 2025, the arena hosted five consecutive nights of sold-out concerts, headlined by Oasis, My Chemical Romance, and System of a Down.
While Chicago's infamous winters may prevent events during the end of the year, Liederman said a current rule preventing Soldier Field from running events within 5 days of Bears games, would be stricken, opening up the arena to hold big events during the NFL season.
Other high-profile stadium moves
New stadiums have always been big business, but there have certainly been a lot of high profile moves recently. ConstructConnect News has reported on the NFL’s Washington Commandersunveiling plans for a new D.C. stadium across 180 acres, and, over in Dallas, Texas, the NBA’s Mavericks and NHL’s Stars splitting from the American Airlines Center and each pursuing new multibillion-dollar venues.
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