Chicago Bears May Trade Soldier Field for Hammond in 2026
The Chicago Bears open their 2026 home season at Soldier Field, but the 55th year at the Chicago landmark could be their last as a move to Hammond, Indiana, gains serious traction.
How Hammond Prepared for This
Mayor Thomas McDermott said the city began assembling roughly 300 acres at the Lost Marsh and Lake Terminal sites after cleanup efforts, a process that never envisioned a Bears relocation.
Indiana’s constitutional property tax caps, which limit rates to 1%‑3% depending on classification, appealed to the Bears, a benefit Illinois cannot match.
Northwest Indiana’s $52 billion regional economy has attracted over $30 billion in new investment in the past ten months, underscoring a robust business climate.
Why a Move Feels Real
In the late 1990s the Bears explored a Gary, Indiana location that never materialized, leaving city officials skeptical.
McDermott said he was brought into talks last year, signed nondisclosure agreements, and only felt the deal was real after a major company alerted his office that Indiana officials were pursuing its property.
Governor Mike Braun and House Speaker Todd Huston have championed Senate Bill 27, creating a funding mechanism for a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority.
Infrastructure and Logistics
Hammond’s position at the southern tip of Lake Michigan provides existing utilities, highways, rail lines and a data center, eliminating major infrastructure gaps.
While Arlington Heights, Illinois, another potential site, lacks comparable infrastructure, Hammond will receive $600 million for road and highway upgrades around the stadium footprint.
Indiana’s commuter rail has been double‑tracked and extended into Lake County, giving fans multiple travel options to the new venue.
Negotiations Status
McDermott described the current talks as “in the red zone,” meaning the Bears are close but must still score the decisive touchdown.
The team’s lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, with an early‑termination fee available, while the Bears’ headquarters remain in Lake Forest.
Bears Chairman George McCaskey and President Kevin Warren hold the final decision; McDermott says he is urging them to act but cannot guarantee timing.
Name and Fan Base
The Bears will stay the Bears; a name change has never been discussed, according to McDermott and team officials.
Northwest Indiana is considered Bears country, with the Packers and Colts trailing in local support.
