Chicago Bears confirm plan for a privately financed domed stadium and mixed‑use district in Arlington Heights
What happened: The professional football team confirmed plans to build a new fixed‑roof domed stadium and a surrounding mixed‑use district on the 326‑acre former Arlington International Racecourse site in Arlington Heights. The team describes the full development as a $5 billion private investment, with the stadium construction alone estimated at $2 billion. Team officials say the build would require zero state funding for the stadium itself.
Key details up front
- Site: 326 acres at the former racecourse, purchased by the team in 2023 for $197 million.
- Cost: Total site development projected near $5 billion; stadium estimated at $2 billion.
- Capacity: Planned seating between 65,000–70,000 fans under a fixed roof.
- Jobs: More than 56,000 construction jobs during building and about 9,000 permanent jobs when operational.
- Economic impact: Team projects roughly $10 billion in statewide economic impact.
Planned features and site work
Current plans include retail, restaurants, housing, a hotel, parkland and an entertainment district around the stadium. Transit access plans call for direct commuter rail (Metra) service to the site. The proposal also anticipates expanded parking, new roads and other infrastructure designed to improve access and tailgating activity.
Timeline and approvals
Team leadership has stated readiness to break ground as soon as late 2025 if legislative and local approvals are finalized, with a possible opening as early as 2028. The Village of Arlington Heights has signed a memorandum of understanding with the team. Traffic, infrastructure and tax studies are underway as part of a review process that will inform permitting and final approvals.
Funding, legislation and public role
The team has emphasized that no state dollars will be used to build the stadium itself. Officials are negotiating with state and local leaders on property tax certainty and contributions toward infrastructure. A proposed statewide “mega‑project” bill under consideration could support public infrastructure that serves the site and surrounding community; that bill would not directly fund the stadium construction but could help pay for public improvements that enable the project.
Regional significance
If approved and built as currently outlined, the project would join a short list of privately financed NFL venues and rank among the largest construction projects in the state’s history. Team leadership frames the site as uniquely able to host marquee events, including major national and international sports and entertainment gatherings, and as a transformational redevelopment for the suburb.
Industry context
The announcement arrives at a time when the regional construction market shows mixed signals. Large adaptive reuse and infrastructure projects continue to move forward while new development faces higher interest rates, cost volatility and financing challenges. Builders and contractors are relying on innovation, public incentives and careful risk management to keep projects feasible. Hospitality, multifamily and industrial work remain more active than office construction in current market conditions.
Next steps
Final project approvals will depend on completed traffic and tax studies, negotiated agreements with municipal and state officials, and any legislative actions tied to infrastructure support. The team continues to discuss property tax certainty and infrastructure contributions with state and local leaders and will proceed to permitting and design phases as approvals advance.
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