NFL owners briefed on Bears' two-site stadium plan

NFL owners were briefed in Orlando on Tuesday on the Chicago Bears’ stadium planning, with Arlington Heights, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana, identified as the only viable locations under consideration. Club and league staff updated all 32 teams on status, timing and next steps, according to officials familiar with the session. Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren has said the franchise expects to choose a site by early summer, and Tuesday’s briefing focused on the path to that decision.

The update emphasized that the process is now framed as a choice between two concrete stadium solutions rather than an open search. Officials said Indiana’s proposal is positioned to move quickly if terms are finalized, while work continues on a potential plan in Arlington Heights in coordination with Illinois authorities. The presentation did not signal a preference, but clarified what remains to be resolved in each jurisdiction.

A move to Hammond would place the Bears’ home venue just over the state line while keeping the club anchored to the broader Chicago market. That approach mirrors precedents elsewhere in the NFL, where teams such as the New York Giants and New York Jets play in a neighboring state to their namesake city. Remaining in Illinois via Arlington Heights would keep the team within state borders at a suburban site the club has long evaluated.

Officials said pursuing parallel tracks gives the franchise a credible alternative if negotiations in Illinois stall, while maintaining momentum toward a timely outcome. Keeping two viable paths open is intended to allow the team to move quickly once terms align in either location without committing prematurely.

Two-site plan presented to NFL owners

Indiana proposal described as ready to proceed

Indiana’s option has been described as ready to proceed, suggesting shorter lead times once an agreement is reached. That readiness, according to officials, reflects where planning and approvals currently stand on the Indiana side.

Arlington Heights requires additional coordination in Illinois

The Arlington Heights concept remains under active development with state and local counterparts in Illinois, and would require additional steps before construction terms could be finalized. The team has been engaged on that suburban site for an extended period, and Tuesday’s briefing reiterated the outstanding items that would shape a deal.

Timeline, regional impact and next steps

Choosing between the two locations will determine whether the Bears remain an Illinois-based team or adopt a cross-border venue model while retaining their Chicago identity. Either route would keep the club tied to the Chicago-area fan base and media market.

In the near term, team officials are expected to continue talks with relevant state and local authorities to refine terms and address remaining requirements. Further updates to owners are possible if negotiations reach key milestones before a final selection is announced, officials said.

The franchise now enters a decisive phase, with a site decision targeted for early summer.