Chicago Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren has officially set out one of the franchise’s most ambitious goals yet — hosting a Super Bowl in their new suburban Arlington Heights stadium by as early as 2031. Hours before the kickoff of the Bears’ 2025 NFL season, Warren addressed season ticket holders in a letter that highlighted both the urgency and importance of finalizing plans for a state-of-the-art facility that will redefine the team’s future.
The announcement marks a significant moment in the history of the storied franchise, as the Bears aim not only to move into a modern, fixed-roof stadium but also to join the ranks of teams in cold-weather cities positioning themselves to secure America’s biggest sporting event.
Warren’s Letter: A Clear Call to Action
Warren’s message was direct, passionate, and forward-looking, underscoring the urgency of moving ahead with the project.
"We are at a pivotal juncture of the Chicago Bears franchise to build a new stadium, our future home in Arlington Heights, which will require zero state money for construction," Warren wrote. "This is the year to finalize our stadium plans so we can officially bid to host a Super Bowl as soon as 2031. This is the moment to begin moving toward that future, and we want you with us."
His words highlighted two key points: the project will not rely on state funding, and the Bears are determined to align their stadium vision with the ultimate NFL reward — the opportunity to host a Super Bowl.
A New Era for the Bears
The Bears’ move to Arlington Heights represents a dramatic shift from their iconic but aging Soldier Field, a venue that has long been a symbol of Chicago football. Soldier Field, sitting on the lakefront, provided a unique home-field advantage, particularly with the harsh winter conditions that often played a role in Bears games. However, the same weather that once gave the Bears a competitive edge has also kept the city from seriously being considered to host a Super Bowl.
The new stadium, planned with a fixed roof, would solve that issue. By offering a controlled environment, it would meet the NFL’s strict criteria for hosting the league’s biggest showcase while also providing comfort and entertainment year-round.
Following a Growing Trend in the NFL
The Bears are not alone in this vision. Teams in other cold-weather markets are pursuing similar strategies. The Buffalo Bills are preparing to open their New Highmark Stadium in 2026, while the Cleveland Browns are working toward a new indoor facility that could open by 2029. Both teams, like the Bears, recognize that a covered stadium is the only realistic path to hosting a Super Bowl.
This reflects a broader shift across the league. While football has always been about toughness and braving the elements, the NFL’s biggest event — watched by hundreds of millions worldwide — is seen as too important to risk being spoiled by snow, wind, or freezing conditions. With indoor stadiums, cold-weather teams can eliminate that uncertainty while also reaping long-term financial benefits.
Economic and Community Impact
Beyond football, the Arlington Heights development is expected to be more than just a stadium. In keeping with the trend of modern sports complexes, the Bears’ project is likely to include mixed-use features such as restaurants, entertainment venues, retail spaces, and tourism attractions.
These developments aim to generate year-round revenue, boost the local economy, and transform the stadium into a destination rather than just a game-day venue. Cities that have hosted Super Bowls in the past have seen significant short-term economic boons, with fans and tourists flooding in for the event. For Chicago’s suburbs, the long-term vision is clear: create a hub that benefits the community 365 days a year.
From Soldier Field to Arlington Heights
The decision to move away from Soldier Field has not been without controversy. For years, the team and the city of Chicago flirted with potential renovations and expansions to keep the Bears within city limits. However, the lakefront site was simply too limited to accommodate the kind of expansive, multipurpose development the team envisions.
In February 2023, the Bears made their intentions clear by purchasing a 326-acre site in Arlington Heights for nearly $200 million. That move signaled a definitive break from downtown Chicago and cemented their future in the suburbs.
The Super Bowl Dream
For the Bears, the stakes are high. Hosting a Super Bowl is more than just about prestige. It’s a chance to showcase the franchise, the city, and the new stadium to a global audience. The financial impact would also be enormous, with Super Bowl host cities often generating hundreds of millions in revenue from tourism, sponsorships, and media exposure.
Chicago, a city with a rich football tradition, has long been absent from the list of Super Bowl hosts due to weather and venue limitations. A fixed-roof stadium in Arlington Heights changes that equation. By 2031, if the timeline holds, the Bears could finally bring the NFL’s biggest stage to the region.
Looking Ahead
As Warren emphasized, 2025 is the year to finalize the plan. The franchise is calling on its fanbase to rally behind this ambitious project, one that could redefine what it means to be a Chicago Bears supporter. The vision extends beyond just hosting games — it’s about creating a legacy, building a new home, and placing the Bears among the elite franchises capable of hosting the Super Bowl.
For now, the Bears still have to prove themselves on the field. But off it, the franchise has already taken a bold step toward shaping a future that could alter the course of the organization for decades to come.