Where the Bears play now, and why they want to leave
The Bears have played their home games at Soldier Field on Chicago's lakefront since 1971. The stadium got a major renovation in 2003, but the team has long felt it's outdated and inadequate compared to modern NFL venues. For years, ownership has wanted a new, state-of-the-art facility — ideally a domed stadium that could host major events year-round.
The saga begins: Arlington Heights (2021–2024)
In September 2021, the Bears made their first concrete move toward leaving Soldier Field, placing a bid to buy the former Arlington International Racecourse — a massive 326-acre horse racing track in Arlington Heights, a suburb about 30 miles northwest of Chicago. The purchase closed in February 2023 for $197 million, and the plan was to build a domed stadium surrounded by hotels, housing, shops, and entertainment venues.
But almost immediately, things got complicated. Cook County tax officials assessed the newly purchased land at its full sale price, which meant a dramatically higher property tax bill than the previous owner had paid. The Bears got into a prolonged dispute with Arlington Heights and three local school districts over what they'd owe in property taxes. Those negotiations dragged on through 2023 and into 2024 without resolution, and the Bears grew frustrated.
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