Bears To Announce Publicly-Owned Stadium Plans For Chicago

CHICAGO — In a week when the eyes of the football world will be on the Chicago Bears as they have the top pick in Thursday's NFL Draft, the team is set to announce where it hopes to be playing games in the future. In collaboration with city officials and stakeholders, the Bears will roll out plans for a "state-of-the-art, publicly-owned enclosed stadium" on the Museum Campus during a Wednesday press conference.

The team said Monday it will also discuss "additional green and open space with access to the lakefront for families and fans," in a news release. The press conference is scheduled for United Club at Solider Field.

The latest announcement comes as it appears the Bears have shifted their focus away from a potential new stadium in Arlington Heights to remaining in Chicago. Last month, team officials said Bears' ownership is open to contributing more than $2 billion to a stadium project in the Windy City.

"The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region — boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue," Kevin Warren, team president and CEO, said "We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized."

Warren, who confirmed the $2 billion contribution from the team, said the new stadium will "improve open space for all families, fans and the general public to enjoy in the City of Chicago."

In February 2023, the Bears closed on a $197.2 million property agreement to buy the former Arlington Park racetrack and have since demolished a large portion of the site.

Soldier Field, which opened in 1924, is the NFL's oldest stadium. The Bears began playing there in 1971 after leaving Wrigley Field. It has a football game capacity of 61,500 fans, which is the smallest in the NFL. The Bears' lease at Solider Field expires in 2033.

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