The Chicago Bears are weighing potential relocation options as Indiana and Illinois compete to host the NFL franchise with competing stadium proposals. The Bears, who have played at Soldier Field for half a century, are exploring alternatives to their current 61,500-seat venue, the league's smallest stadium.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun signed legislation on February 26 creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance and construct a domed stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond, approximately 25 miles from Soldier Field. The proposal would involve a 35-year lease agreement with the Bears, with construction costs covered by borrowed state funds and repaid through increased local hospitality taxes.

Illinois lawmakers have responded with legislation offering tax incentives for development projects valued at least $100 million. The plan would freeze property taxes at pre-construction values for up to 45 years and provide sales tax exemptions on building materials for 15 years. This would apply to the Bears' previously proposed $5 billion development in Arlington Heights, which included plans for a domed stadium and mixed-use campus.

The Bears' search for a new venue stems from their desire to own rather than rent their facilities, which would provide control over operations and additional revenue streams. Soldier Field is maintained by the Chicago Park District, and the Bears currently pay $7 million annually under a lease running through 2033.

Critics of the Illinois proposal argue that the property tax freeze would shift costs to other taxpayers, while supporters contend it would encourage development and generate new revenue. The state still owes $467 million on a 2001 Soldier Field renovation that originally cost taxpayers $399 million.

The Bears, valued at $8.9 billion according to Forbes, purchased 326 acres in Arlington Heights in 2023 for approximately $200 million. Breaking their current Soldier Field lease early would result in a $10.5 million penalty for each remaining year on the agreement.