The Chicago Bearstook a clear step toward a new home in Indiana on February 19, 2026. The team said it will invest $2 billion of its own money in a proposed stadium near Wolf Lake in Hammond. No final signed deal exists yet.
That same day, the Indiana House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-0 to pass an amendment to Senate Bill 27. The bill creates the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. This group will have the power to buy land, issue bonds and help pay for the construction of the new venue.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: The Bears are expected to announce their intentions to build their stadium in Northwest Indiana, per @Chicago_NFL
The Chicago Bears have officially agreed to relocate to Northwest Indiana.
The Indiana Bears 👀 pic.twitter.com/1jx505CpJs
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 19, 2026
The Bears put out a statement after the vote. They said the passage of Senate Bill 27 “would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date.” They added that they will now finish site-specific checks at the Wolf Lake location.
Chicago Bears and Governor Mike Braun share update on relocating stadium
Indiana Governor Mike Braun said the plan sets up the needed framework for a final agreement once the site work is done. House Speaker Todd Huston told reporters the Bears have committed $2 billion and appear set on northwest Indiana.
Tennessee Titans General Manager Ran Carthon leaves the field after their 24-17 loss against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.
Tennessee Titans General Manager Ran Carthon leaves the field after their 24-17 loss against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024.
At the same time, a scheduled meeting in the Illinois House about stadium funding was canceled. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said the Bears had asked to pause talks there the day before.
The Wolf Lake site in Hammond sits about 22 miles from Soldier Field. That distance is shorter than the distance to the Arlington Heights site in Illinois, which is about 30 miles from Soldier Field. The Bears own land in Arlington Heights and once planned a big development there but talks have not moved ahead.
The Bears currently play at Soldier Field under a lease that runs through 2033. They have looked at several possible locations for a new stadium in recent years, including spots inside Chicago and in the suburbs.
The Indiana plan calls for an enclosed domed stadium. State leaders say up to $1 billion in public money could go toward roads and other infrastructure. That money would come from new taxes on tickets, food and drinks at the stadium plus higher hotel taxes in Lake and Porter counties.
Lawmakers in Indiana hope to pass the full bill before the legislative session ends on February 27. If it clears both chambers the new authority can begin its work.
The Bears have not ruled out staying in Illinois. But the events of February 19 mark the strongest sign yet that the team may soon play its home games in Hammond.