The Chicago Bears are going all out for their proposed new stadium. On Wednesday, the Bears released the initial designs for a new lakefront stadium. According to Front Office Sports, the stadium is projected to cost between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. The Bears said they will pledge $2 billion toward the effort.
The stadium will be located just south of Soldier Field and will be enclosed. The release of the designs comes after the team announced last month it plans to stay in the city of Chicago after considering multiple options across the area suburbs.
“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,” Bears president Kevin Warren said in March, per Front Office Sports. “We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”
One thing to note about the proposed staidum is there is not deal in place with the city of the Chicago and the state of Illinois when it comes to the remaining funding. “If we’re going to build 21st-century stadiums, we have to make sure that that investment is activating the entire city of Chicago, and these conversations, particularly with the Bears, have been quite positive,” Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson said last week. “I appreciate the leadership of [team president] Kevin Warren. … But no, we have not made any commitments to any new forms of revenue.”
The Chicago Bears explain why they need a new stadium
The Bears have been playing at Soldier Field since 1971. There have been renovations made to the stadium over the years, but Chicago is looking to host big sporting events like the Super Bowl and the Final Four, meaning a new stadium is the best and easiest way to do that.
In 2022, the Bears penned an open letter that showed conceptual plans for development of the 326-acre property on Arlington Park, which located in the Chicago suburb Arlington Heights.
“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 wrote in the letter. “We envision a multi-purpose entertainment district anchored by a new, best-in-class enclosed stadium, providing Chicagoland with a new home worthy of hosting global events such as the Super Bowl, College Football Playoffs, and Final Four.”
The Bears are coming off a 2023 season where they finished 7-10. They missed the playoffs for the thitd consecutive year but have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and will likely take USC quarterback Caleb Williams on Thursday night.
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