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The '''Chicago Bears stadium''' is a proposed stadium to be built in Chicagoland area for the [[Chicago Bears]] franchise of the [[National Football League]], who currently play home games at [[Soldier Field]]. 

==Background==
At the beginning, the [[Decatur Staleys]] played at their games at [[Staley Field]] which was owned by the team parent company the [[A. E. Staley|A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Lugardo|first=Sara|url=http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/12/16/history-of-tailgating-in-chicago/|title=History of Tailgating in Chicago|publisher=[[WBBM-TV]]|date=2012-12-16|access-date=2012-12-16}}</ref> Although the Staley football team was popular in 1920, it struggled financially, partly due to Staley Field's 1,500 seating capacity. Fans were charged $1 to attend games and company employees received a 50 percent discount, which was not economically feasible for the Staleys. The Staley company sold the team to [[George Halas]], who transferred the team to [[Chicago]] in 1921 and move the games to Cubs Park (now [[Wrigley Field]]), which was owned by the [[Chicago Cubs]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Willis|first=Chris|date=August 19, 2010|title=The Man Who Built the National Football League: Joe F. Carr|publisher=[[Scarecrow Press]]|isbn=978-0810876705|page=131}}</ref> and in 1922, they renamed themselves the [[Chicago Bears]] in order to associate themselves with their landlords.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/past/WrigleyField.htm |title=Wrigley Field – History, Photos & More of the former NFL stadium of the Chicago Bears |publisher=Stadiumsofprofootball.com |access-date=2012-08-17}}</ref> The Bears moved to their current home - the city owned [[Soldier Field]] - in 1971 after the [[AFL-NFL Merger]], the newly merged league mandate instituted after the 1970 season dictated that teams must play in stadiums that could hold a minimum of 50,000 seats. The move was suppose to be temporary - "an interim measure taken of necessity until a new city stadium can be erected" - but in the decades since, the team and the city of Chicago had multiple clashes with the city about the state of the stadium, which caused a desire on the part of the team's ownership to find an alternative stadium owned by the team.<ref name="Wpost">{{Cite web|title=The Chicago Bears have been trying to leave Soldier Field for 50 years. They might be closer than ever.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09/29/bears-soldier-field-arlington-heights/|website=Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=What's so bad about Soldier Field? 5 things to know|url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/chicago-bears/whats-so-bad-about-soldier-field-5-things-to-know/332125/|website=NBC Chicago}}</ref>

==History==
===Wrigley Field (1921-1970)===
{{Main|Wrigley Field}}
After leaving [[Decatur, Illinois]] in 1921 the Bears played at Wrigley Field for 50 years, from 1921 to 1970, which once held the record for the most NFL games played in a single stadium, with 365 regular season games, until this record was surpassed in 2003 by [[Giants Stadium]] in [[New Jersey]]. During this time the team won nearly 70% of its home games during that span.[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/04/05/for-bears-opponents-wrigley-field-was-the-unfriendly-confines/]

Initially, the Bears worked with the stands that were there. Eventually, they acquired a large, portable bleacher section that spanned the right and center field areas and covered most of the existing bleacher seating and part of the right field corner seating. This "East Stand" raised Wrigley's football capacity to about 47,000, or a net gain of perhaps 9,000 seats over normal capacity. After the Bears left, this structure would live on for several years as the "North Stand" at [[Soldier Field]], until it was replaced by permanent seating.

The football field ran north-to-south, i.e. from left field to the foul side of first base. The remodeling of the bleachers made for a very tight fit for the gridiron. In fact, the corner of the south end zone was literally in the visiting baseball team's dugout, which was filled with pads for safety, and required a special ground rule that sliced off that corner of the end zone. The end zone was also shorter than the north, as the south end zone was eight yards, compared to the regulation ten yards.<ref>{{cite web|title=1963 Season: Bears Defeat Colts 10-3 at Wrigley|first=Chet|last=Coppock|url=http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/1963-season-Bears-defeat-Colts-10-3-at-Wrigley/205f934a-533c-49c5-87dc-529c24700560|publisher=[[Chicago Bears]]|date=October 4, 2013|access-date=October 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003623/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1/1963-season-Bears-defeat-Colts-10-3-at-Wrigley/205f934a-533c-49c5-87dc-529c24700560|archive-date=October 5, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> One corner of the north end line ran just inches short of the left field wall. There is a legend that Bears fullback [[Bronko Nagurski]] steamrolled through the line head down, and ran all the way through that end zone, smacking his leather-helmeted head on the bricks. He went back to the bench and told then-coach [[George Halas]], "That last guy gave me quite a lick!" That kind of incident prompted the Bears to hang some padding in front of the wall.

After a half-century, they found themselves compelled to move as the NFL wanted every one of its stadiums to seat at least 50,000 as a result of the then-recent [[AFL–NFL merger]]. At the time Wrigley Field had a capacity of 46,000 for football games.<ref name="Wpost" /> The last game was on December 13, 1970, with the Bears beating the Packers 35-17.

===Dyche Stadium (1970)===
{{Main|Ryan Field (stadium)}}
With the Bears wanting to stay in Chicago North side, in 1971 Halas signed a five-year deal with [[Northwestern University]] to play in [[Ryan Field (stadium)|Dyche Stadium]] (that at the time had a capacity of 55,000), but the deal was cancelled two weeks after, as the [[Big Ten Conference]] denied the Bears permission to play there.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Big Ten Closes Dyche to Bears, Allows N.I.T |url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/377041878/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> As a result of the Big Ten prevention, and subsequent move to the lakefront, ended their five-decade run on the north side.

By the end, the Bears played only one game at the stadium in 1970, a 20-26 win over [[1970 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]], due to renovations to Wrigley Field.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears - September 27th, 1970 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197009270chi.htm|website=Pro Football Reference |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Soldier Field (1971-2001, 2003-present)===
{{Main|Soldier Field}}
Without any other options in the city, the Bears signed a temporary lease with the [[Chicago Park District]] who owns the stadium, for three years with two one-year options. The lease also stipulate that the Park District should upgrade the aging stadium for the sum of $700,000, including: installing synthetic turf, updating and move closer the seating, and building new dressing rooms.<ref name="Wpost" /> In 1975 the Public Building Commission announced they will demolish Soldier Field and will be replaced with a $35 million stadium,[https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/383909080/] but Mayor [[Richard J. Daley]] would later said that the $35 million will be spent on updating the existing structure.[https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/383918835/] 

In 1977, as a result of the deteriorating state of the stadium, the Chicago Park District notify the Bears they will be able to play there only one more season, as the Park District board chairman estimated the cost for renovation in the ranged of $40 million to $55 million. At the time, costs estimates for a new stadium range from $65 million for an open structure and up to $200 million for a domed facility.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Decay of Soldier Field to force Bears to move|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/386711907/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 1978, the city declared 10,292 seats at the field’s north end to be no longer safe, bringing the stadium capacity below the NFL’s 50,000 seat requirement.<ref name="Tribune1278">{{Cite web|title=Bears turn sour on Soldier Field|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/386662380/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> Although NFL Commissioner [[Pete Rozelle]] said publicly he wouldn't force the rule on the Bears, the city would later approved a $3.5 million renovation plan that would add 2,000 seats, among other improvements. In 1980 the Park District stated they will close Soldier Field if the Bears did not sign a 20-year lease, and later blocked the team from selling tickets for the upcoming season. On On July 17, 1980 the Bears reached a new 20-year lease agreement with the Park District, after agreeing to finance the $2.8 million cost of building 54 skybox suites.<ref name="Tribune0780">{{Cite web|title=Bears, Park District agree to new 20-year lease |url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/386971859/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 1982 the Park District unveils a plan to build a $20 million dome atop Soldier Field, which never happened.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chicago Tribune Sunday, April 25, 1982|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/387778399/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>






[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chicago-bears-called-soldier-field-113000325.html Stadium History]


[https://www.stadiumsofprofootball.com/stadiums/old-soldier-field/ 1]

===Memorial Stadium (2002)===
{{Main|Memorial Stadium (Champaign)}}
In [[2002 Chicago Bears season|2002]] the Bears selected the [[University of Illinois]] [[Memorial Stadium (University of Illinois)|Memorial Stadium]] as the site of home football games during the renovation of Soldier Field (the agreement also included the preseason games of the [[2003 Chicago Bears season|2003 season]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=University of Illinois-Chicago Bears Form Partnership|url=http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102201aab.html|publisher=University of Illinois Department of Athletics|date=October 22, 2001|access-date=December 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101225721/http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/102201aab.html|archive-date=January 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the past the Bears also held two preseason games in the stadium in [[1974 Chicago Bears season|1974]] and [[1975 Chicago Bears season|1975]] (both against the [[St. Louis Cardinals (NFL)|St. Louis Cardinals]]).

==Other proposed stadium sites==
===Comiskey Park===
{{Main|Comiskey Park}}
In 1971 the [[Chicago White Sox]] offered the Bears to play in [[Comiskey Park]], which was the home of the old [[Chicago Cardinals]], but Halas declined.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Comiskey Park Seating Plans Sought By Bears|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/197329631/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 1977, the Bears reveld they had contact with White Sox's owner [[Bill Veeck]] about the use of the stadium, as a temporary solution, as a result of the deteriorating state of Soldier Field. In 1980, the [[Chicago Tribune]] reveled that the Bears were considering playing their 1980 regular season games at the stadium, if they can't sign a lease extantion with Chicago Park District (Soldier Field owners). In 1998, then-Chicago mayor [[Richard M. Daley]] proposed that the Bears share [[Guaranteed Rate Field|New Comiskey Park]] with the White Sox.

===Notre Dame Stadium===
{{Main|Notre Dame Stadium}}
In 1978 the idea of moving Bears games to the [[Notre Dame Stadium]] was first proposed by Halas, but he also said: "We don't even know whether a place like Notre Dame would let us in".<ref name="Tribune1278" /> In July 1980 the Bears approached the university officials with a request to play two exhibition games and eight regular season games for the upcoming season, but the team would later signed a new 20-year lease agreement to stay in Soldier Field.<ref name="Tribune0780" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chicago Bears Threatened to Move 1980 “Home” Games to Notre Dame Stadium|url=https://www.onefootdown.com/2020/7/19/21327919/chicago-bears-move-1980-home-games-to-notre-dame-stadium-george-halas-soldier-field-joyce-park-nfl/|website=SBNation}}</ref>

===Waukegan===
{{Main|Waukegan, Illinois}}
In 1990 Bears President [[Michael McCaskey]] said that the Waukegan proposal is still on the table.<ref name="Tribune1190" />

In 2023 Waukegan reached out to the Bears again and express their interest in wanting to be the home of the team stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waukegan is latest city to reach out to Bears about being home of new stadium|url=https://wgntv.com/waukegan/waukegan-is-latest-city-to-reach-out-to-bears-about-being-home-of-new-stadium/|website=WGN9}}</ref>

===Roosevelt Road===
In 1986 Chicago's Mayor [[Harold Washington]] proposed football-only stadium as part of a larger West Side sports complex, that will include the [[Chicago Bulls]] and [[Chicago White Sox]]. The plan was rejected by the Bears.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mayor tries another stadium mix|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/388876615/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

===Elk Grove Village===
{{Main|Elk Grove Village, Illinois}}
In 1991 [[DuPage County, Illinois|DuPage County]] officials try for the first time to pursue the Bears to be principal tenants of a vacant site owned by the county Airport Authority.<ref>{{Cite web|title=West Chicago wooing Bears with offer of stadium at airport|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/389519090/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 1995 Bears President Michael McCaskey reveled that the Bears plan is to build a $285 million, 74,000-seat stadium, with $185 million to be financed primarily by public funds, at one of three locations, including the western-most portion of [[O'Hare International Airport]].<ref name="Tribune0495" /> In 1998 the Bears sign a [[letter of intent]] that gives them 18 months to decide whether to pursue a new $200 million to $300 million stadium in [[Elk Grove Village]], with state officials saying: "they are not willing to make any significant contributions to build a suburban home for the Bears".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Elk Grove Village wonders if Bears mean business this time|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/169365539/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

===McCormick Place===
{{Main|McCormick Place}}
In 1991 [[Illinois]] governor [[James R. Thompson]] order planning a domed stadium (nicknamed "McDome") as part of a major expansion of [[McCormick Place]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Blitz is on for Bears Stadium|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/389257322/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

===Hoffman Estates===
{{Main|Hoffman Estates, Illinois}}
In 1995 the Bears announced they have acquired an option to purchase 200 acres in [[Hoffman Estates, Illinois]], as one of four potential locations for its new $285 million, 74,000-seat stadium. At the time it was believed that the Hoffman Estates location is the favorite, as the Bears wanted to return to Chicago North side.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears try option play in Hoffman Estates|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/167389577/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

===Gary, Indiana===
{{Main|Gary, Indiana}}
In 1995 a business group called the "Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Entertainment Inc." tried to lure the Bears with a plan for $205 million, 75,000-seat open air stadium in [[Gary, Indiana]], as part of $482 million plan [[Family entertainment center|redevelopment project]] west of the [[Gary Regional Airport]] called "Planet Park". However, the plan was rejected by the Lake County Council.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indiana makes its pitch to Bears|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/167779995/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

==Sites considered==
===Arlington Heights===
A move to the village of [[Arlington Heights, Illinois]] was first proposed in 1975, as the Madison Square Garden Corp. announced they'll determine the feasibility of building a sports stadium on 20 acres of undeveloped land next to the [[Arlington Park|Arlington International Racecourse]]. The Bears had plans to build a publicly fund 80,000-seat stadium and sign a 35-year lease to use it, but the plan fell through when the city voters refused to approve funding, after the plan to move the the [[Chicago White Sox]] to the village as well fell through.<ref name="Tribune0495">{{Cite web|title=3 sites on wish list $185 million sought from public for arena|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/167321223/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> In 1990 Bears President [[Michael McCaskey]] said they haven't ruled out the Arlington Heights project.<ref name="Tribune1190">{{Cite web|title=Chicago Tribune Wednesday, November 28, 1990|url=https://chicagotribune.newspapers.com/newspage/389601104/|website=Chicago Tribune}}</ref>

In September of 2021 the Bears first put a purchase agreement on the 326-acre plot of land in the village of [[Arlington Heights, Illinois]] and the [[Arlington Park]] properties.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chicago Bears stadium: where things stand with Arlington Heights, more|url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/chicago-bears/bears-news/chicago-bears-stadium-where-things-stand-with-arlington-heights-more/505259/|website=NBC Sports Chicago}}</ref> In September 2022 the Bears hosted an information meeting to discuss the potential purchase and possible development of Arlington Park at [[John Hersey High School]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=First Look at Chicago Bears Master Plan for Arlington Park. How Much Will Taxpayers Be Asked To Fund?|url=https://news.wttw.com/2022/09/06/first-look-chicago-bears-master-plan-arlington-park-how-much-will-taxpayers-be-asked-fund|website=WTTW}}</ref> The sale was finalized on February 15, 2023 for $197.2 million,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears close on Arlington Heights property|url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-close-on-arlington-heights-property|website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears' purchase of 326-acre Arlington Park property official|url=https://abc7chicago.com/sports/bears-purchase-of-326-acre-arlington-park-property-official/12820806/|website=ABC Chicago}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Arlington Park|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327201535/https://arlingtonpark.chicagobears.com/|website=ChicagoBears.com}}</ref> with plans on building a new $5 billion domed stadium on the land.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Master Plan Vision for Arlington Park|url=https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/upload/v1674679704/bears/ukmoqgogrbjsn3hctidu.pdf}}</ref> Demolition of former Arlington Park began in May, 2023,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Demolition begins at Arlington Park after Chicago Bears' indoor permit approved|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327201543/https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-bears-arlington-heights-construction-race-track-demolition/13326213/|website=ABC Chicago}}</ref> but after disagreement over the property tax assessment,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears 'disappointed' after Board of Review blocks lower Arlington Heights property tax bill|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/02/22/bears-stadium-arlington-heights-property-tax-review|website=Chicago Sun Times}}</ref> prompted the Bears to explore alternative sites for its planned stadium.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears resume new stadium plans in Arlington Heights|url=https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2023/12/29/bears-resume-new-stadium-plans-in-arlington-heights/|website=The Real Deal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=As Plan for New Stadium in Arlington Heights Stalls, Bears Start Considering New Options|url=https://news.wttw.com/2023/06/02/plan-new-stadium-arlington-heights-stalls-bears-start-considering-new-options|website=WTTW}}</ref> In March, 2024 the village of Arlington Heights offered a tax reduction in attempt to lure the team to build new stadium in village.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Arlington Heights offers Chicago Bears tax breaks to build new stadium in village|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/chicago-bears-arlington-heights-tax-break/|website=CBS}}</ref>

===Lakefront stadium===
As of 2024, the Bears have shifted their focus to the parking area south of Soldier Field on [[Museum Campus]]. The plan is to build a new domed stadium and to invest more than $2B in private money in a publicly owned stadium and park space. The plan also indicated that much of Soldier Field would be torn down to create the additional "[[Urban green space|green space]]".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears would contribute $2 billion for domed lakefront stadium to replace Soldier Field, team president confirms|url=https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/reports-bears-to-contribute-2-billion-for-domed-lakefront-stadium-to-replace-soldier-field/|website=WGNTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Source - Chicago Bears plan new stadium south of Soldier Field|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39704677/source-bears-planning-new-stadium-south-soldier-field|website=ESPN}}</ref> In April 24, 2024 the Bears reveal plans for $4.7 billion domed lakefront stadium development.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bears reveal plans for $4.7 billion domed lakefront stadium development: 'This is not an easy project'|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2024/04/23/bears-new-stadium-dome-lakefront-soldier-field|website=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chicago's Lakefront Legacy Experience The Vision|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512131938/https://stadium.chicagobears.com/|website=Chicagobears.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Chicago Bears}}
{{Chicagosports}}
{{NFL Stadiums}}
{{Defunct NFL stadiums}}
{{Portal bar|North America|United States|Chicago|American football|Architecture}}