• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Front Office Sports Honors winners are here! View the 2025 winners

Bears Release Renderings, Details of New Stadium Project

  • Team says “much remains to be decided” before a move to suburban Chicago becomes official.
  • Bears detailed the financial impact and some of the amenities of the Arlington Park site.
Bears Arlington
Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears laid out their vision on a planned domed stadium at the Arlington International Racecourse property on Tuesday. 

The Bears emphasized that “much remains to be decided” on a new home away from Soldier Field — and the news release had “if” italicized in the statement five times. 

If the team does proceed with the purchase of the Arlington Park property, and if the Bears organization then chooses to proceed with the development of the property, the project will be one of the largest development projects in Illinois state history,” the Bears said.

The Bears said a new stadium about 30 miles away from downtown Chicago would anchor “a multi-purpose entertainment district” and would provide the area “a new home worthy of hosting global events such as the Super Bowl, College Football Playoffs, and Final Four.”

The team also provided renderings of the project and details of its financial impact. 

  • The proposed project would create “more than 48,000 jobs, result in $9.4 billion in economic impact for Chicagoland, and provide $3.9 billion in labor income to workers across the region.”
  • Once completed, the project would “create more than 9,750 long-term jobs” with an annual economic impact of $1.4 billion. 
  • Annual labor income across the Chicagoland area is estimated to be $601 million. 
  • It’s anticipated that the project will generate $16 million in annual property tax revenue for Arlington Heights, $9.8 million for Cook County, and $51.3 million for the state of Illinois. 

The Bears are set to present more details about the development to the public at a meeting at a high school gym in Arlington Heights on Thursday. 

The Bears signed an agreement to purchase the 326-acre property last September. 

Chicago officials, led by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, unveiled proposals in July to redevelop Soldier Field with and without the Bears remaining the primary tennant.

One of the proposals — which could cost as much as $2.2 billion — would be to put a dome atop Soldier Field. The Bears’ lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033. 

“I’m somebody who likes to plan so we’ve got plan B, plan C and others in the works as well if the Bears decide that they’re going to abandon the city of Chicago,” Lightfoot said on Tuesday, per Chicago Tribune reporter Gregory Pratt. “I hope they don’t and we’re going to keep fighting that fight as long as we possibly can.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Bears CEO: Arlington Heights Only Local Location for New Stadium

The Bears currently play in Soldier Field in downtown Chicago.
Collins

NFL Second-Round Impasse May End As Niners Give Pick $9M Guaranteed

The contract isn’t fully guaranteed like the earlier second-rounder deals.
MLS Chicago Fire FC stadium rendering of hero visual

Chicago Fire Planning $650M Stadium As Bears, Sox Projects Stall

The MLS club unveils designs for its planned 22,000-seat stadium.
Soccer

Chicago Stars Aren’t Asking for Taxpayer Stadium Money—Yet

A unique new law will compel Illinois lawmakers to consider women’s teams.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Dec 10, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of the Delta Center before the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Minnesota Wild.

Utah’s Sports Boom Expands Into Music, Emulating Atlanta

The Jazz and Mammoth owner strikes a major deal with Live Nation.
Sofi Stadium
August 14, 2025

Los Angeles Olympics Will be First to Sell Venue Naming Rights

The decision breaks with a longstanding Olympic policy.
August 18, 2025

Browns $2.4B Stadium Plan Runs Into Airspace Turbulence

The team’s proposed stadium is deemed a threat to nearby airport operations.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
Nov 30, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; General overall view of the Dallas Cowboys logo at midfield during an NFL football game between the Washington Redskins and the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
August 14, 2025

Arlington Pays Off Its Cowboys Stadium Debt 10 Years Early

Another major NFL venue retires its public debt far ahead of schedule.
Fans watch as players make it into the 18th hole during round three of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 8, 2025. Arizona Republic
August 13, 2025

Country Club Initiation Fees Soar With Golf’s Popularity

In many areas, would-be members are joining decade-long wait lists.
July 30, 2025

Browns Push Forward on $2.4B Stadium Despite Political Obstacles

The NFL team plans a stadium groundbreaking, despite funding and legal issues.
Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field.
July 29, 2025

$3.8B Commanders Stadium On Track for D.C. Approval

D.C. continues two days of public hearings on a proposed Commanders stadium.