The Chicago Bears have been rumored to be building a new stadium for a few years. There has been controversy about where the team’s new home will be. Plans were presented for a move to the suburbs, but the city of Chicago fought to keep the team downtown. They got their wish. Today, the storied franchise unveiled plans for a $4 billion sports complex that includes a new stadium.
Chicago Bears New Stadium
More than just a stadium.
With 14 acres of new athletic fields and recreational park space, this project will provide Chicago families with a place to gather and play. #StadiumForChicago pic.twitter.com/7QsnzuU9AS
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 24, 2024
The stadium will nestle in right on the lakefront. Lake Michigan is a staple of the famed city, and the team will play right next to the lake. The company who designed the stadium is the same one who recently did the Las Vegas Raiders stadium. Members of the front office have been trying to get the NFL to choose Chicago as a Super Bowl site but so far, the famed city has never hosted the event. They may not get a chance based on a design choice.
The Chicago Bears new stadium will not have a retractable roof. Any team that plays there is subject to the elements. Bears president Kevin Warren said that the choice was due to cost as it would have added “a couple hundred million” to the overall cost that is already at $4.6 billion. The full renderings can be seen on the team’s website.
Who’s Paying For This?
When people see plans like this, they always wonder who is paying for it. The Chicago Bears are putting up $2 billion and requesting two loans. One is from the NFL, and the other is from the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. The Chicago taxpayers will be on the hook for the rest. However, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said at the reveal that there would be “no new taxes on the residents of Chicago.”
The selling point at the event was that this is more than a stadium. The Chicago Bears stadium is just one part of the complex. Surrounding fields will house other events and be a gathering place for the city’s people. It isn’t just about building a stadium; it is about serving the community as well.
Chicago Going Big
The Chicago Bears want to be able to host the biggest sporting events in the world. While Soldier Field is historic, it is an outdated stadium that doesn’t get much attention from event hosts. Now, Chicago could be a destination for many high-profile sporting events.
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Matt Brown has been following sports since he was a kid. It does not matter what sport he is talking about; he tends to be an expert in it. When he is not glued to following sports, he is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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