The Chicago Bears will leave the venerable Soldier Field as their home stadium after more than 50 years. The contract expires in 2026. Now the Bears have unveiled a concept for an entire multi-entertainment district

Munich/Chicago – Since 1971, the Chicago Bears have called Soldier Field in the heart of the city home.

However, that will change after 2026. That’s when the franchise’s contract with the city of Chicago expires. Despite efforts to keep the Bears within the city limits, they will be moving out of Soldier Field – that’s been clear since Tuesday.

Not just stadium, but entire entertainment district

That’s when the Bears unveiled their vision for the future. The new site, which the Bears secured a few months ago, is located in Arlington Heights, a rather small city in northwest Chicago.

A stadium concept was not shown at all – but rather a 3D model of an entire neighbourhood that will have the Bears’ new stadium as its centrepiece. The stadium pictured is just a placeholder.

The Bears unveiled the first proposal for their new, domed stadium and entertainment district in Arlington Heights. @ChicagoBears (: @FOS) pic.twitter.com/toxeB3SgUZ

– FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 6, 2022

It’s supposed to be “one of the largest structures in Illinois history,” the Bears let slip in their press release. “This is about much more than a stadium. Homes, restaurants, offices, hotels, gyms and green space. This is not just to help the surrounding area, but the entire state of Illinois,” it continued.

The tradition-rich franchise is still tied to Soldier Field, which was last renovated in 2002, until at least 2026. Construction work in Arlington Heights is expected to begin shortly.