Chicago Bears officials: Hammond 'sole focus' of new stadium project

August 13, 2026 - 17:32

The Chicago Bears have made it clear that Hammond, Indiana is the only place they are looking at for a new stadium. Team officials say the city is the "sole focus" of their current planning, but they are not putting a clock on when anything might break ground. This is a major shift from earlier talk about building in the Chicago suburbs, especially Arlington Heights, where the team bought a large piece of land a few years ago.

According to a team spokesperson, the decision to zero in on Hammond came after months of studying traffic, infrastructure, and fan access. The site sits close to the Indiana-Illinois border, which makes it a practical option for fans from both states. But the team is also quick to point out that this is not a done deal. There is no signed agreement, no finalized design, and no public funding package in place. The Bears are still working through what the project would cost and who would pay for it.

One thing that is not changing is the team name. Even if the stadium ends up in Indiana, the Bears will stay the Chicago Bears. That was confirmed by the same official who spoke about the Hammond plans. The team has a long history in Chicago, and the name is not tied to a specific building or city limit.

The move would be a big win for Hammond, a city that has struggled to attract major development in recent years. Local leaders have already started talking about potential jobs and tax revenue. But the Bears are keeping their cards close. They say the next step is more studies and conversations with local officials, and they will not be pushed into a timeline just to make a headline. For now, the only thing certain is that the Bears are looking hard at Indiana, and everything else is still up in the air.