The Chicago Bears are asking fans what they think about a new stadium and mixed-use entertainment district in northwest Indiana – and how much they’d be willing to pay for it.
The Bears sent a survey to their season ticket holders Monday asking what fans would pay for various seats, from general admission to suites, at a new enclosed stadium in the Hoosier State.
“As we have said, we are actively evaluating opportunities across the wider Chicagoland region for a new stadium,” the team announced in a statement. “The survey is a standard and important step in that process, helping us understand fan interest, accessibility, and experience preferences as we assess the feasibility of a potential stadium in Northwest Indiana. We continue to do the work required to make informed, responsible, long-term decisions for our fans and our organization.”
The survey asks recipients how they would feel about a new football home in Indiana, from “very positive” to “very negative,” and how interested they would be in buying season tickets there.
The survey was similar to a survey the team sent in June to season ticket holders, asking about a proposed new stadium in Arlington Heights.
The new survey promises convenient highway access to get in and out of an unspecified new site some 20 miles from Chicago, plus more than double the 6,000 parking spaces at the team’s current home at Soldier Field, boasting of a potential premier tailgating experience.
The survey comes just two days after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Bears brass toured the Arlington Heights site and two northwest Indiana sites, including near Wolf Lake in Hammond — which took place just before the Bears beat the Green Bay Packers in a playoff game.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has welcomed the idea of bringing the Bears to his state, and lawmakers there created a commission to study bringing professional sports teams to the region.
In contrast, Illinois political leaders have rebuffed attempts by the Bears to get public funding to stay in Chicago, or to get legislation to let the team negotiate property taxes in Arlington Heights.
Here is the text of the letter to season ticket holders:
“Thank you for your continued support of the Chicago Bears.
We are actively pursuing the development of a new, state-of-the-art stadium and have expanded the search to critically evaluate opportunities throughout the wider Chicagoland area, including Northwest Indiana.
Our vision remains clear: to create a world-class stadium worthy of our world-class fans — one that reflects the future we are building together. Your voice is an important part of that process.
We invite you to take a few minutes to complete a new survey and share your feedback. Your input will help create the ultimate year-round event and gameday destination— influencing the fan experience, stadium features, and ticketing options.
The survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete, and all responses will be kept confidential and reviewed collectively to inform future planning.”
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