Chicago Bears' NFL Oldest Stadium Relocation Plans Progress in Arlington Heights

The Chicago Bears are considering relocating from Soldier Field, the NFL's oldest and smallest stadium, to a new $4.7 billion stadium in Arlington Heights, a suburb about an hour from Chicago. Soldier Field, opened in 1924 and originally a World War I memorial, has a capacity of 62,500 and has been home to the Bears since 1971. Although significant progress has been reported toward the relocation, Chicago Park District Superintendent Carlos Ramirez-Rosa emphasized that even if construction begins, the move is many years away and would require extensive public consultation involving civic leaders and local officials. The Bears currently have eight years left on their lease at Soldier Field, and the planning process for a potential move is expected to be robust and participatory. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns' plans for a new $3.6 billion stadium have been blocked due to concerns from the Ohio Department of Transportation that the proposed design would obstruct air navigation near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, highlighting logistical challenges in stadium development for NFL teams. This contrast underscores the complexity and scale of investments and planning involved in the NFL's stadium modernization efforts.