It’s moving season in Chicago.
The Bears, Fire and White Sox are in the market for new homes, while the Blackhawks and Sky eye expanding their footprint in the city.
“There’s no reason to leave Chicago if you’re a sports team. There isn’t,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “There’s just too much soul in this city to leave it now.”
Here’s what to know about the teams’ various plans — and various levels of readiness to pack it up.
Bears
The former Arlington International Racecourse is seen at sunrise on May 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
A Chicago Bears digital billboard glows at sunrise just off of Route 53 at the former Arlington International Racecourse on May 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Rows of trees on the southern edge of the former Arlington International Racecourse are lit by the sunrise on May 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
The former paddock is marked by a circle and cross at the former Arlington International Racecourse on May 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
The former Arlington International Racecourse, facing east at sunrise, on May 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
An aerial photo shows the former Arlington International Racecourse on March 12, 2024, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
The former Arlington International Racecourse is seen on May 19, 2025, in Arlington Heights. The Chicago Bears own the property and may build a new stadium and entertainment district there. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
The view from the neighborhood northeast of the former Arlington International Racecourse on Dec. 30, 2024, in Arlington Heights. The Chicago Bears own the property and could potentially build a stadium there. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
A digital billboard advertising the Chicago Bears sits near the practice track of the former Arlington International Racecourse near Route 53 and Northwest Highway on June 25, 2024, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
The former Arlington International Racecourse is seen on March 12, 2024, in Arlington Heights. The Bears purchased the Arlington Heights property last year. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
The grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse is dismantled on Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
The shell of the grandstand remains at the former Arlington International Racecourse as crews continue to demolish it on Aug. 31, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune
Riders wait for a Metra train at the station in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
People wait for a Metra train in downtown Arlington Heights on Sept. 29, 2021.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Downtown Arlington Heights features a small park, condos, retail shopping and dining on Sept. 29, 2021.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
People walk through the intersection of Vail Avenue and Campbell Street in downtown Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 2021.
Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune
Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights is seen on May 1, 2023.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Workers gather in a parking lot outside of the former Arlington Park to begin demolition on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Demolition continues on the grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse on July 11, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
The grandstand of the former Arlington International Racecourse is razed on Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
Selso Nuñez, of Palatine, dressed in Bears garb, peeks over the gate of Arlington International Racecourse as he looks for a spot to watch the fireworks following a day of races on Sept. 25, 2021.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
The former Arlington International Racecourse is shown behind the Arlington Park Metra train station on Oct. 28, 2021.
After buying the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights in 2023, the Chicago Bears proposed building a $2 billion stadium there as part of a 326-acre development including entertainment and residential uses. (Chicago Bears)
Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune
Clouds pass over the now-closed Arlington International Racecourse on Sept. 6, 2022, in Arlington Heights.
Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune
A rendering of the plan is shown as representatives from the Chicago Bears present their concept for building a new stadium and entertainment district on the site of Arlington International Racecourse during a public meeting at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights on Sept. 8, 2022.
Hart Howerton/Chicago Bears
A rendering released by the Chicago Bears shows the view from the proposed stadium of the Arlington Park entertainment district.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
The synthetic racing surface is being removed from the track at the Arlington Park International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights on Feb. 8, 2023.
Eileen T. Meslar / Chicago Tribune
The Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights is seen on May 1, 2023.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Construction equipment stands ready for expected demolition at the former Arlington International Racecourse at sunrise on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Demolition continues on the grounds of the former Arlington International Racecourse on June 13, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Demolition crews hired by the Chicago Bears begin knocking down the grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse on June 16, 2023, in Arlington Heights. The Bears are looking at the site to build a possible new stadium for the team.
Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune
Demolition continues of the main grandstand at the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights on Aug. 1, 2023.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Demolition of the grandstand continues at the former Arlington International Racecourse, Aug. 7, 2023.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Demolition of the grandstand continues at the former Arlington International Racecourse, Aug. 7, 2023.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
Demolition continues on the grandstand and surrounding structures at the former Arlington International Racecourse, Sept. 25, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
Arlington International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights is seen on Feb. 8, 2023.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
A Metra train passes the former Arlington International Racecourse at sunrise on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights.
Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune
Arlington Park International Racecourse in Arlington Heights is seen on Sept. 29, 2021. The Chicago Bears have signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, the near-century-old facility that likely hosted its final horse race last Saturday.
Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune
Arlington Park International Racecourse is seen on Oct. 6, 2021, in Arlington Heights. The Chicago Bears have signed a purchase agreement for Arlington International Racecourse, the near-century-old facility that likely hosted its final horse race.
E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune
A view of the former grandstand of Arlington Park International Racecourse property in Arlington Heights is seen on Feb. 8, 2023.
Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune
The former Arlington International Racecourse is seen at sunrise on May 30, 2023, in Arlington Heights. Demolition is expected to begin soon.
Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune
Crews demolish the main grandstand of the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, July 14, 2023. The site may become the future home of the Chicago Bears.
Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune
Main grandstand demolition continues at the former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights, Aug. 1, 2023.
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The former Arlington International Racecourse is seen at sunrise on May 23, 2025, in Arlington Heights. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)
Current home: Soldier Field (since 1971)
Possible future home: New domed stadium in Arlington Heights
The Bears are shifting their focus from Chicago to a new stadium in Arlington Heights, a project that would depend on state legislation allowing for negotiated financing of large-scale development projects.
Construction of a new suburban stadium would generate thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity, but would also require substantial taxpayer support for infrastructure, according to team projections released on Sept. 30.
The Bears purchased the land in Arlington Heights — formerly the 326-acre Arlington International Racecourse — in February 2023, hoping to build a new enclosed stadium with a massive entertainment and residential development. In April 2024, the team laid out elaborate plans for a new publicly owned domed stadium on the Chicago lakefront but left unanswered how the city would pay for expensive infrastructure improvements.
Fire
An artist’s rendering shows the interior of the proposed Fire stadium. (Gensler)
New pickleball courts and a soccer field are located along an extended South Wells Street inside The 78, a long vacant 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
An artist’s rendering shows the planned external view of the Fire stadium in The 78. (Gensler)
The planned west facade of the Fire stadium in an artist’s rendering. (Chicago Fire FC and Gensler).
A sketch of the Chicago Fire Football Club proposed stadium to be located at The 78 development in downtown Chicago. The initial phase of stadium construction is scheduled to begin late 2025 or early 2026, with the target completion date set ahead of the 2028 MLS Regular Season. The $650 million open-air natural-grass stadium will have a capacity of 22,000 fans. (Chicago Fire Football Club)
A sign marks The 78, a long vacant 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, on June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A baseball field is seen Sept. 6, 2024, on The 78, a 62-acre South Loop site where the Chicago White Sox are considering a new stadium. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
People play pickleball on new courts inside The 78 on June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The 78, a mostly vacant 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
New pickleball courts, a soccer field and a baseball diamond are located along an extended South Wells Street inside The 78, a long vacant 62-acre former rail yard site in the South Loop south of Roosevelt Road, June 1, 2025. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A groundskeeper tends to a baseball field that has arisen on The 78, a 62-acre South Loop site where a new White Sox stadium has been proposed on Sep. 6, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
The 78 development, a 62-acre site south of Roosevelt Road near downtown Chicago on Feb. 7, 2024. The project will consist of office and residential towers and a riverwalk along with a proposed new stadium for the Chicago White Sox. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)
Conceptual renderings of The 78 neighborhood, including the potential new White Sox ballpark. (Courtesy of Related Midwest)
A conceptual rendering of The 78 neighborhood, including the potential new Chicago White Sox ballpark. (Related Midwest)
A conceptual rendering of The 78 neighborhood, including a potential new Chicago White Sox ballpark. (Related Midwest)
A conceptual rendering of The 78 neighborhood, including the potential new Chicago White Sox ballpark.(Related Midwest)
A conceptual rendering of The 78 neighborhood, including the potential new Chicago White Sox ballpark.(Related Midwest)
The land known as “The 78”, south of Roosevelt Road and west of Clark Street, on Jan. 18, 2024. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)
Vacant land south of Roosevelt Road called The 78 on April 26, 2023. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
A section of The 78 development on Feb. 7, 2024 in Chicago. (Vincent Alban/Chicago Tribune)
The 78 development area can be seen south of Roosevelt Road and east of the Chicago River, March 22, 2022, in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
The 78 mega development along the Chicago River in the South Loop of Chicago on Feb. 12, 2020. (José M. Osorio/ Chicago Tribune)
People against the Lincoln Yards and The 78 project protest and block LaSalle Street in Chicago on April 10, 2019. The City Council Finance Committee voted to approve a total of up to $2 billion in tax-increment financing for the Lincoln Yards and The 78 developments. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)
Mayor Lori Lightfoot takes questions from the audience after an announcement of the first phase of the $7 billion mixed-use project known as The 78 as Gov. J.B. Pritzker looks on during a press event at the Chicago site on Feb. 12, 2020. (José M. Osorio/ Chicago Tribune)
The 78 development area on March 22, 2022, in Chicago. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
The 78 mega development along the Chicago River in the South Loop of Chicago on Feb. 12, 2020. (José M. Osorio/ Chicago Tribune)
The 78 mega development along the Chicago River in the South Loop of Chicago on Feb. 12, 2020. (José M. Osorio/ Chicago Tribune)
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An artist’s rendering shows the interior of the proposed Fire stadium. (Gensler)
Current home: Soldier Field (since 2020)
Possible future home: New stadium in South Loop
The Fire unveiled detailed renderings of their proposed privately funded $650 million open-air soccer stadium at The 78 in the South Loop. The facility is meant to look like it has been part of the city’s sports landscape for a century.
Situated along the Chicago River, the intimate 22,000-seat, red brick stadium would feature a natural grass pitch, a steel roof and a plethora of premium options to go with traditional supporter sections and general admission seating.
The Chicago City Council approved owner Joe Mansueto’s plan on Sept. 26 — the last major hurdle before construction crews could break ground.
The project would not require public funding, Mansueto told the Tribune. The team is scheduled to break ground on the new stadium as early as this fall, with a target completion date ahead of the 2028 MLS season.
Designed by architectural firm Gensler, the stadium seeks to provide the Fire with a “world-class home” and catalyze a Wrigleyville-like development at the mostly vacant 62-acre site south of Roosevelt Road. It purposely evokes a similar vintage look to the longtime Cubs home. There would be about 2,000 parking spots available at The 78. Fans also could take the CTA to the stadium; there’s a nearby “L” station and multiple bus lines. Taking a water taxi is another possibility.
White Sox
A conceptual rendering of The 78 neighborhood, including a potential new Chicago White Sox ballpark. (Related Midwest)
Current home: Rate Field (since 1991)
Possible future home: New stadium in South Loop
The White Sox said they’re still considering building their proposed new ballpark at the South Loop site as well, potentially creating a new pro sports nexus in Chicago.
At least one industry analyst said shoehorning two new stadiums into the 62-acre site is not only viable, but potentially a boon for both teams and the city. Last year the Sox proposed a new publicly funded ballpark at The 78, but Springfield lawmakers balked at the idea of contributing a reported $1 billion to build it.
“It could work,” said Marc Ganis, a Chicago-based sports marketing consultant. “They would have to work out the use of the infrastructure and the parking and scheduling and things of that nature. I think it’d be great for the city.”
Building adjacent stadiums is gaining traction in several markets, including Arlington, Texas, where the Dallas Cowboys play at AT&T Stadium and the Texas Rangers are a line drive away at Globe Life Field. In the Los Angeles area, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, where the Rams and Chargers play football, is next door to the Intuit Dome, the new basketball home of the Clippers.
It remains to be seen whether the Sox would be able to get the financial and political support to move.
In 1988, Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf pushed through legislation to fund a new baseball stadium after threatening to move the team to Florida. Built in 1991, the stadium, now called Rate Field, was primarily funded through the issuance of $150 million in hotel-tax-supported bonds by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority.
The Sox lease at Rate Field runs through 2029 and the ISFA still owes $50 million on the ballpark.
Stars
Northwestern football players warm up before a game against Miami (Ohio) at Martin Stadium on Aug. 31, 2024, in Evanston. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Current home: SeatGeek Stadium (since 2016)
Possible future home: Martin Stadium in Evanston
The Stars will depart their usual Bridgeview venue to play a “test run” game at Northwestern’s Martin Stadium in September as they consider a permanent move there. Fans nearly filled the 12,000-capacity stadium in the 2-1 win, which brought an increased amount of noise whenever the team scored a goal. The official attendance was 10,127, the highest number for the Stars this season.
The ultimate goal for the Stars is to one day play in the team’s own stadium, but President Karen Leetzow believes the club has landed on an intriguing new option for now as she announced the 2026 season will be played at Martin Field.
“It is incredibly accessible,” Leetzow said on Sept. 4. “It’s in a terrific community that is very supportive of women’s sports. It’s close to a built-in fan base with university students. It’s just got all the things you could possibly want for these athletes.”
Blackhawks
Blackhawks players practice on July 13, 2020, at Fifth Third Arena in Chicago. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Blackhawks gave a sneak peek at the Fifth Third Arena expansion — still a skeletal collection of steel beams, HVAC systems and construction dust.
While Hawks players will continue to use the same two rinks they’ve used for practices and training camps since Fifth Third opened in 2017 just south of the United Center, the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel will play home games at one of two new rinks — the one the Hawks are calling Championship Arena.
It will seat 1,500 and host up to 2,000, with the building also including lounges, a fan patio with a skyline view, a restaurant named after late Hawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz and a 100th anniversary museum called Centennial Hall, which also will house the new Blackhawks Hall of Fame.
The privately funded expansion, which began in May 2024 and is scheduled to be completed in January 2026, initially was projected to cost $65 million, but a source told the Tribune it likely will land “significantly higher.”
It also augments the 1901 Project, the Hawks’ and Bulls’ 15-year, $7 billion United Center campus development plan that will feature new residences, hotels and an entertainment district.
Hawks Chairman/CEO Danny Wirtz noted how much has changed since the Hawks and Bulls moved from Chicago Stadium to the United Center. But as any Hawks or Bulls fan knows, once the game is over, the area can feel rather barren, bracketed on all sides by parking lots.
“We’re sitting on a lot of parking lots, right?” Wirtz said. “And we see parking has continued to decrease with other modes (of transportation) to get here. We’re absolutely thinking about what the future could look like.”
Sky
Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadia Rawlinson, center, signs the final beam with other team and village officials as they mark a construction milestone on their new practice facility Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Construction continues on a new practice facility for the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Construction continues on a new practice facility for the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadia Rawlinson speaks as the team marks a construction milestone on their new practice facility Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Construction continues on a new practice facility for the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadia Rawlinson speaks as the team marks a construction milestone on their new practice facility Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadia Rawlinson, center, signs the final beam with other team and village officials as they mark a construction milestone on their new practice facility Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Bedford Park Village President David Brady signs the final beam as the Chicago Sky mark a construction milestone on their new practice facility Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Construction continues on a new practice facility for the Chicago Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Sky and Bedford Park officials sign the final beam as they mark a construction milestone on their new practice facility Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
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Visitors tour the new practice facility for the Chicago Sky as they mark a construction milestone Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025, at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Sky were in a celebratory mood on Sept. 18.
Members of the front office and basketball staff gathered in Bedford Park alongside members of the village government to sign one of the final beams used in the construction of the team’s new training facility. It marked the first time that many members of the Sky — including coach Tyler Marsh — had seen any of the construction on the project.
But while the Sky were eager to celebrate progress, the team faces a crucial question of timing: Will the training facility be ready for the 2026 season? Even with significant delays, executives from both the Sky and the Village of Bedford Park believe the answer is yes.
“I am confident that it will be done before the season next year,” Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadia Rawlinson said.
The $38 million facility originally was expected to be completed in October 2025. With their $5.9 million front-end payment in 2024, the Sky would secure a 10-year deal to occupy a 43,000-square-foot portion of the 125,000-square-foot facility constructed in Phase 2 of the Wintrust Sports Complex project. After 10 years, the Sky would have an option to renew for another decade.