HAMMOND — Chicago Bears leadership has officially confirmed that the franchise’s primary focus for a new stadium project has shifted across state lines to Hammond, Indiana.
Team Chairman George McCaskey and CEO Kevin Warren announced that the organization has completed due diligence on its top target location, the Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond, declaring it a viable site for a world-class enclosed stadium and mixed-use development district. The team is currently evaluating an adjacent parcel, the Wolf Lake Terminal property, to determine whether the two sites could be merged into a single, larger venue footprint.
The decision to focus resources on Northwest Indiana comes after negotiations stalled with Illinois state officials regarding tax certainty and public infrastructure funding for proposed sites in Arlington Heights and Chicago’s lakefront.
Key Project Details
- Target Location: Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond, Indiana, with active ongoing evaluation of the nearby Wolf Lake Terminal site.
- Financial Commitment: The team plans to commit $2 billion in private capital toward stadium construction while seeking public-private partnerships for local infrastructure improvements.
- Team Branding: Team leadership confirmed the franchise will permanently retain the “Chicago Bears” name regardless of a potential move across state lines.
- State Support: Indiana state and municipal officials have offered strong support and active daily coordination to facilitate environmental, topographical, and zoning evaluations.
While due diligence remains ongoing and no construction timeline has been finalized, team officials stressed that the organization is taking a deliberate approach to ensure the site meets long-term demands for players, fans, and the surrounding region.
