Bears Fans Split on Move to Hammond or Arlington Heights as Team Weighs Leaving 100-Year Chicago Home
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 16
Bears Fans Split on Move to Hammond or Arlington Heights as Team Weighs Leaving 100-Year Chicago Home
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 16
Summary
Rain-soaked preseason crowds at Soldier Field showed Bears fans sharply divided over a new domed stadium, with many saying they would accept Arlington Heights but reject a move to Hammond, Indiana.
State identity drove much of the resistance: several fans said the Chicago Bears should remain in Illinois, and some warned they would stop attending games if the team crossed the border.
George McCaskey argued fans would adjust to Hammond once they saw a “world-class” venue, even as the team keeps both Hammond and Arlington Heights in play during its long-running stadium search.
Ticket costs are another risk for the Bears: one new season-ticket holder said a future personal seat license for comparable seats could run about $50,000 for two tickets.
The debate underscores a broader tension around leaving Soldier Field, where many fans still prefer the city setting despite weather, access problems and the stadium’s aging condition.