NFL team threatens to abandon league’s oldest stadium and relocate after 104 years with $5bn plan shelved
The Chicago Bears are determined to leave Soldier Field — and could even cross state lines.
On Saturday, the No. 2 Bears will take on the No. 7 Green Bay Packers in a wild card showdown in Chicago.
Sitting proudly on the shore of Lake Michigan since 1924, the franchise is the proud owner of the NFL’s oldest stadium, having moved there from Wrigley Field in 1971.
That is set to change as team bosses look to secure a state-of-the-art domed home at a preferred site in Arlington Heights.
The Bears submitted a $2 billion proposal for the arena, with another $3 billion going into making the old racecourse an entertainment district with restaurants and retail spaces.
They are requesting an $855 million investment in infrastructure to make the plan feasible, which has proven to be a major roadblock.
Team president Kevin Warren recently wrote an open letter to fans confirming that alternative options were being considered, including Northwest Indiana, as talks had stalled.
“This is not about leverage,” Warren wrote. “We spent years trying to build a new home in Cook County.
“We invested significant time and resources evaluating multiple sites and rationally decided on Arlington Heights. Our fans deserve a world-class stadium.
“Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day.”
The Bears have been based in Chicago since 1921, making them one of just three NFL teams to be based in a city for over a century alongside the Green Bay Packers (1919) and New York Giants (1925).
The 9-7-1 Packers head to the Windy City for a huge playoff showdown with their 11-6 NFC North Rivals in the first game of wild card weekend
The Bears beat the Packers in Week 16, where offensive coordinator Declan Doyle explained why Soldier Field gives his team the upper hand.
State will have to grin and Bear it
The Bears may insist the threat of leaving Illinois isn’t about leverage, but that is exactly what it is.
There are huge sums of money involved and both sides will be keen to negotiate all the way down to the finest details.
The Browns were in a similar position with their proposed move out of downtown Cleveland earlier this year.
With a little bit of help from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, they got exactly what they wanted.
The league carries a huge amount of political and economic weight and can step in to help close out deals.
Ultimately, the Bears hold all the cards that matter.
What lawmaker wants to be the person responsible for one of the most storied franchises in football leaving Illinois?
Jamie Gordon, US Sports writer
The last thing the Bears want to do is quit their hometown just as they are getting things right on the field.
“The Bears have called Chicago home for more than a century,” Warren added. “One certainty is that our commitment to this city will not change.
“We will continue to provide unwavering support to the community. We need to secure a world-class venue for our passionate fanbase and honor the energy you bring every week.”
The Bears’ lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, and construction is set to take five years.
Warren and the rest of the leadership, who appear to have given up on an earlier plan to redevelop Soldier Field, are in a hurry.
Ranking all 14 Super Bowl contenders
8. Chicago Bears (11-6
Who remembers Jayden Daniels now?
Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson have been a blessing for the Bears, who captured an NFC North that featured all four teams posting winning records.
Williams can make his name in Chicago even bigger by taking care of business vs the Packers at Soldier Field.
“For a project of this scale, uncertainty has significant consequences,” Warren said. “Stable timelines are critical, as are predictable processes and elected leaders, who share a sense of urgency and appreciation for public partnership that projects with this level of impact require.
“We have not received that sense of urgency or appreciation to date. We have been told directly by State leadership, our project will not be a priority in 2026, despite the benefits it will bring to Illinois.”
The Bears have never owned their own stadium having played at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 before becoming tenants at Soldier Field.
Since moving to Chicago in 1921, the Bears — founded in Decatur, Illinois, in 1920 — have never owned their stadium.
Indiana governor Mike Braun has already rolled out the red carpet.
“The Chicago Bears recognize Indiana’s pro-business climate, and I am ready to work with them to build a new stadium in Northwest Indiana,” he wrote on X.
“This move would deliver a major economic boost, create jobs, and bring another premier NFL franchise to the Hoosier State. Let’s get it done.”
As well as the Indianapolis Colts, the state also boasts the Heisman Trophy winner thanks to Fernando Mendoza’s triumph.
The Hoosiers quarterback blew past Oregon in the CFP semifinal on Friday and will look to add a national title against No. 10 Miami Hurricanes on January 19 before entering the pros in April’s NFL Draft.
Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
