The Chicago Bears are on the verge of a move to Hammond, Indiana in a seismic move that raises question marks over the name of one of the NFL's most storied franchises
17:16 ET, 05 Jun 2026Updated 17:16 ET, 05 Jun 2026
A zoomed-out view of the Chicago Bears' Soldier Field
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The Chicago Bears won't change their name when they move to Indiana
The Chicago Bears are the NFL's second-oldest franchise and have made Illinois their home base for over a century but after 105 years, the franchise's board of directors voted to advance plans for a proposed $5 billion domed stadium in Hammond, Indiana.
The Bears' move will represent a historic break with Illinois and Soldier Field, the NFL's oldest stadium, which opened in 1924. The franchise's current lease at the venue runs through 2033.
Several Bears fans have taken to social media to voice their frustration with the decision as the pending move nears completion, while locals have also asked whether the team plans to change its official name to match its new location.
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One NFL fan wrote, "Bears officially going to Indiana and Caleb Williams' Madden Curse? It’s never been more over." Another added, "Hard to believe the city of Chicago and State of Illinois could fumble this bad, but welcome to Indiana."
The short answer is that the Bears are not expected to become the Indiana Bears or the Hammond Bears, no matter how many jokes keep popping up on social media.
Despite the team pursuing a stadium across state lines, ownership has an agreement with Indiana officials to keep the Chicago Bears name, uniforms, colors, and historical branding intact. Even if the name was set to change, the NFL already has a long history of teams with cities on their helmets.
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The New York Giants and New York Jets play at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Dallas Cowboys play in Arlington, the San Francisco 49ers play in Santa Clara, and the Washington Commanders play in Landover, Maryland.
Franchise name changes are far rarer than stadium moves. The Houston Oilers became the Tennessee Titans after leaving Texas, while the Bears themselves began as the Decatur Staleys before becoming Chicago's team more than a century ago.
The Bears' situation feels different because it crosses a state border. Hammond is still considered part of the broader Chicago metropolitan region, along with cities such as Aurora, Illinois; Gary, Indiana; and Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Soldier Field sits in front of the Chicago skyline
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The Bears have played at Soldier Field since 1971(Image: Getty Images)
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Hammond is approximately 20 miles from downtown Chicago. Indiana pushed for the move after Illinois lawmakers failed to guarantee property tax certainty and infrastructure support the team wanted for its 326-acre Arlington Heights site.
Indiana passed Senate Bill 27 to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which can acquire land, issue bonds, and finance a major stadium project. Indiana Governor Mike Braun, the President of the Senate, and more signed the bill into action near the end of February.
The funding plan combines private investment with public support. The Bears would contribute significant capital to the stadium, while Indiana's package could offer up to $1 billion in incentives, infrastructure, and property tax certainty.