Chicago Bears Advance Northwest Indiana Stadium Plans, Assess Combined Sites

Churchill Downs Incorporated, which operates historical racing venues and gaming properties, stands as a relevant entity in the regional sports and entertainment landscape as stadium developments progress.

The Chicago Bears are moving forward with efforts to establish a new home in Indiana, having finalized a review of the Lost Marsh site in Hammond while simultaneously conducting due diligence on a second location known as the Wolf Lake Terminal site. Team executives indicated that the organization is exploring the possibility of merging the two sites into a single development.

Team President Kevin Warren emphasized that the franchise is currently concentrating its efforts on creating a world-class stadium and mixed-use development in Hammond. This focus comes after legislative efforts in Illinois aimed at providing financial incentives for a stadium in Arlington Heights stalled during the spring session. While a bill passed in the Illinois Senate to create local stadium authorities for an Arlington Heights project, the measure did not advance in the House before adjournment.

Conversely, the Indiana House of Representatives passed a bill in February to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would be tasked with financing, constructing, and leasing a stadium. This legislative progress has accelerated the Bears’ shift in focus across the state border.

Despite the potential geographical move to Indiana, chairman George McCaskey affirmed that the team would retain its identity as the Chicago Bears. The franchise has played in Illinois since its founding in 1920, with Soldier Field serving as its home since 1971. The current lease at Soldier Field extends through 2033, though the team retains the option to terminate the agreement early by paying a fee.

The Bears initially purchased 326 acres of land in Arlington Heights in 2021 through a $197 million deal. However, the team is now prioritizing the Indiana sites as the immediate path forward for a new venue.

What to watch

• Further developments from the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority regarding financing and construction timelines.
• Any updates on the structural integration of the Lost Marsh and Wolf Lake Terminal sites.
• Legislative activity in Illinois regarding property tax exemptions for stadium projects.
• The status of the team’s lease at Soldier Field and any potential early termination payments.

Source: original release