The Chicago Bears have taken a major step toward building a new stadium in Indiana. The team's board of directors voted Thursday to move forward with development in Hammond. The exact site remains to be determined.
The vote marks the first time in franchise history that the board has approved a specific stadium location. A statement from Chairman George McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren said the project would transform the region and connect Northwest Indiana with Chicago. Hammond sits about 25 miles from the Bears' current home at Soldier Field. The team has explored other options in recent years, including a site in Arlington Heights, Illinois, but shifted focus after facing delays on state support. A league source told ESPN that Indiana now leads the process, though Illinois could still compete. The Bears' lease at Soldier Field runs through 2033, but the team can exit early.