Arlington Heights has emerged as the leading contender to house a new stadium for the Chicago Bears, with the NFL team making “significant progress” on a wide-ranging project in the village.
The Bears currently play at Soldier Field (pictured), and last year the team unveiled plans to build a new fixed-roof stadium south of the venue. Work had been slated to start this summer, but the Bears have been keeping their options open with Arlington Heights remaining on the table.
In February 2023, the Bears acquired a 326-acre plot of land in Arlington Heights and commenced demolition work on Arlington International Racecourse a few months later.
The team later revealed that Arlington Heights was no longer its singular focus for a new stadium, and last year’s announcement of a project near Soldier Field appeared to confirm the Bears’ intention to remain in downtown Chicago.
The Bears last year reached a tentative agreement with the village of Arlington Heights and local school district leaders over a property tax bill for a potential new stadium at Arlington International Racecourse, and Bears president Kevin Warren recently talked up the possibility of a move.
The situation developed on Friday, with the Bears issuing the following statement to the Chicago Tribune newspaper: “Over the last few months, we have made significant progress with the leaders in Arlington Heights, and look forward to continuing to work with state and local leaders on making a transformative economic development project for the region a reality.”
Should this option be pursued, state funding would not be sought for the stadium itself, although the Tribune reported that the Bears would likely seek funding for related infrastructure. The stadium would anchor a wider entertainment district in Arlington Heights.
The plot of land which the Bears purchased in Arlington Heights remains undeveloped. Warren has previously said the team could look to begin work on a new stadium this year.
Another site that has been on the table for the Bears is Michael Reese Hospital. A proposal for this site has been led by Farpoint Development but this would appear to be below the Arlington Heights and downtown projects in the pecking order.
With a capacity of 61,500, Soldier Field is the smallest stadium in the NFL. The Bears’ current lease deal at the stadium is due to run until 2033.
