NFL's Chicago Bears Consider Indiana Stadium

NFL's Bears eye Indiana stadium deal after Illinois talks collapse

Chicago Bears consider moving to Indiana as Illinois infrastructure talks stall.

Indiana's legislature has unanimously passed a bill allowing the state to issue bonds for the construction of a new...

The Chicago Bears are making waves with their potential move to Indiana! The team hailed Thursday's development as the “most meaningful step” yet towards building a new stadium in the neighboring state. This comes after the Bears announced in September they'd be leaving their long-standing home at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

Indiana lawmakers have been working to entice the team with a key measure, and it seems to be paying off. The Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee passed a bill establishing a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to begin financing a stadium for the Bears. The team is eyeing a location near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana, just 16 miles from Soldier Field.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: In a 24-0 unanimous vote, Indiana House Ways and Means Committee names City of Hammond as Chicago Bears stadium location. ➡️ https://t.co/Lu1p0Qn5pH pic.twitter.com/IO8jaywo5P

— City of Hammond (@cityofhammond) February 19, 2026

The Chicago Bears' plans to stay in Illinois are hitting a roadblock, with talks of building a new stadium in a Chicago suburb seemingly falling apart. The issue is Illinois' lack of commitment to providing necessary infrastructure, leading Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren to warn that Indiana is now a viable option.

Indiana's legislature has unanimously passed a bill allowing the state to issue bonds for the construction of a new stadium, with a proposed site near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana. The Bears are looking to invest $2 billion, with the public sector covering the rest of the estimated $5 billion project.

The bill's passage marks “the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” said the Bears, in a statement.

“We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”

The Chicago Bears are considering a proposal to build a new stadium in northwest Indiana, just 20 miles from downtown Chicago. This move is aimed at delivering a premier venue for Bears fans and visitors from around the world. The team had previously purchased a 326-acre site in Arlington Heights, Illinois, but talks with the state stalled over infrastructure commitments ¹ ² ³.

The Bears had requested Illinois to commit to building essential local infrastructure, including roads, utilities, and site improvements, as well as guarantees on property tax obligations. However, Indiana has offered a more favorable deal, with lawmakers unanimously passing a bill to establish a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance and construct the stadium.

“Our efforts have been met with no legislative partnership,” Warren wrote in an open letter, in December.

“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,”  he added.

NFL Teams on the Move 

The Chicago Bears aren't the only NFL team considering a new home. The Kansas City Chiefs announced they'll leave Missouri for a new stadium in Kansas, after state lawmakers approved funding for the project. This move comes as the Bears weigh their options between Illinois and Indiana.

Indiana Bears?

The #Bears released a statement reaffirming their intent to continue pursuing a new stadium project in Hammond, Indiana. pic.twitter.com/GVYoglScRC

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 19, 2026