Bears unveil plans for lakefront stadium

The Chicago Bears NFL team has unveiled plans to build a new fixed-roof stadium south of Soldier Field, with work slated to begin in the summer of 2025.

The publicly-owned stadium will act as the centrepiece of the Burnham Park Project, which aims to boost year-round use of the lakefront area.

The proposal includes use for recreational and community events and an increase in open and green space, including 14 acres of athletic fields and recreational park space. The stadium itself would cost $3.2bn (£2.6bn/€3bn), with a further $1.5bn to be put towards additional infrastructure.

The Bears have pledged to contribute more than $2bn towards the project, which would represent over 70% of the total stadium cost. The remaining stadium funds are proposed to come from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority (ISFA).

The team’s plans include a three-acre promenade and plaza area which could include year-round food and beverage outlets, retail shops, and a cultural attraction focused on sports and Soldier Field history. A hotel could also be included on the recreation and cultural campus.

The project was unveiled yesterday (Wednesday) after Bears president Kevin Warren confirmed last month that the team would be shifting its focus away from Arlington Park in favour of building a new lakefront stadium.

The Bears had earmarked Arlington Racecourse as the site for a new home and commenced demolition work on the site in May last year. A week later, the team revealed that Arlington International Racecourse was no longer its singular focus for a new stadium, and a new venue near Soldier Field is now the preferred option.

The Bears have unveiled a series of renderings for the proposed new stadium, designed by MANICA Architecture. The stadium would include a contemporary architectural design which complements the existing architecture featuring an enclosed, fixed roof, and offering views of Chicago’s skyline and lakefront.

The Bears said the stadium could host large-scale sporting events such as the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four, as well as entertainment acts. The team noted the financial impact that recent Super Bowls have had in Arizona, Los Angeles and Florida.

Other elements of the project include a pedestrian mall and pavilion, a wider variety of food and beverage options, more public restrooms, and the preservation of Soldier Field’s historic colonnades, which will remain accessible to fans.

The Bears said the financial proposal put forward by the team can be accomplished with the existing 2% hotel tax used to back ISFA bonds. According to the Bears, the project would boast over $8bn in regional construction impact, a $456m annual economic impact post-construction, the creation of 43,000 regional construction jobs and 4,200 permanent jobs post-construction.

Annual tax revenue from ongoing operations is projected to be 58% higher for the city of Chicago and 41% higher for the state of Illinois with the new stadium over the current operation of Soldier Field.

The infrastructure plan for the project is split into three phases. The first phase consists of requirements to open the stadium including transportation, roadways and utilities and would cost an estimated $325m.

Phase 2 would maximise the stadium and surrounding campus, cost $510m and include a bus depot expansion, new parks and playfields. Phase 3 would further enhance the campus, cost $665m and consist of additional transportation improvements, retail and public attractions.

Soldier Field has a capacity of 61,500 and is the smallest stadium in the NFL. The Bears’ current lease deal at the stadium is due to run until 2033, although the team could break the agreement for $84m as of 2026.

It is hoped the new stadium will open in the summer of 2028.