Bears president Kevin Warren targets late spring or early summer for stadium decision

PHOENIX — Bears president Kevin Warren said Wednesday the organization is in an “excellent position” as it seeks to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights or Hammond, Ind. despite being nearly five years into the process and still being unsettled on the location.

“One good thing about it: Both of the sites are excellent sites,” Warren said in a small media gathering at the end of the NFL’s annual meeting. “We’re focused on making sure we build a world-class stadium.”

Warren said he intends to finalize the decision by “late spring [or] early summer.” If the Bears break ground on a stadium this year, it would be on a timeline to open for the 2029 season. They’ll continue playing at Soldier Field in the meantime, and their lease runs through the 2033 season.

The Bears began the process of building a new stadium in 2021 when they moved to acquire the 326-acre Arlington Park racetrack property. They hired Warren in January 2023 to replace longtime president Ted Phillips.