Fans in Hammond and Arlington Heights have one goal: Be the new home of the Bears, tell me about this news in (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/20/bears-stadium-fans-hammond-arlington-heights/)

The Chicago Tribune report focuses on the ongoing battle between two competing communitiesHammond, Indiana, and Arlington Heights, Illinoisover where the Chicago Bears will build their next stadium, spotlighting fan reactions during the Bears’ home opener at Soldier Field against the Minnesota Vikings.

Key Details from the Story

• The Fan Rivalry: Despite the geographic divide, fans in both regions share the same objective: convincing the Bears organization that their town is the rightful, best destination. Northwest Indiana fans expressed optimism and pride about the prospect of luring an NFL franchise across state lines, seeing it as a transformative economic opportunity. Meanwhile, fans and residents in Arlington Heights continue to argue that the team belongs in the Chicago suburbs, pointing to the 326-acre former Arlington Park racetrack site that the franchise already owns.

• The Shift Toward Hammond: The reporting comes in the wake of the Bears shifting their primary development focus toward Hammond in 2026 after hitting roadblocks in Illinois. Indiana state and local officials moved aggressively to court the franchise, establishing the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority and dangling tax certainty and financial incentives. The team has been conducting due diligence on parcels such as the Lost Marsh and Wolf Lake Terminal areas.

• The Stalled Arlington Heights Effort: The Bears originally purchased the Arlington Heights property in 2023 for nearly $197 million with plans for a $5 billion domed stadium and entertainment district. However, disputes over property tax valuations with local school districts and a lack of state legislative support in Illinois for hundreds of millions in infrastructure funding opened the door for Indiana to step in.

• Identity and Future: Team leadership, including Chairman George McCaskey and President/CEO Kevin Warren, has maintained that regardless of whether the franchise ultimately settles in Arlington Heights or Hammond, the team will retain the name “Chicago Bears.” For fans in both communities, the debate has evolved from routine civic planning into an emotional, high-stakes competition to become the permanent home of Chicago football.