Bears To Arlington Heights? Here’s Why People Are Discussing The Idea

Churchill Downs revealed this week its intention to sell Arlington International Racecourse, with the term “redevelopment” hinting that the property may no longer operate as a horse racing track.

Is it possible to convert it back into something as grand as a sports venue?

Although it remains purely speculative, there has been significant discussion about the Bears potentially moving to Arlington Heights in recent days, particularly from NBC Sports Chicago Bears insider Adam Hoge.

The Chicago Bears now play at Soldier Field, located between Lake Michigan and downtown. However, some individuals believe the stadium is outdated, among other criticisms.

Why would a merger between the Bears and Arlington Heights be beneficial? Here are some reasons to consider.

Super Bowls, Final Four games, etc. may be held in Chicago.

Naturally, Arlington Heights, located approximately 35 minutes from downtown Chicago, was chosen as the host for the games.

However, Chicago would still reap the rewards of increased tourism and attention. Additionally, Arlington International is conveniently located just steps away from a Metra train stop, making it easily accessible for visitors.

If the Bears were to move to Arlington Heights, they would need to build an 80,000-seat, multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof. This would allow them to host major events such as the Super Bowl and Final Fours that they are currently unable to accommodate.

Minneapolis, a cold-weather city like many others, has successfully hosted both events. Chicago will not be able to compete unless it acquires a similar resource.

was construct a football-themed neighborhood in Arlington Heights

Arlington International is situated on 326 acres of land.

The Super Bowl might take place at the 298-acre SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a facility known for its exceptional quality.

Furthermore, after the restoration project is completed, SoFi Stadium will be surrounded by a variety of amenities such as eateries, bars, hotels, and nightclubs.

Many Chicago residents know that Soldier Field is located on a small plot of land. While it is a beautiful stadium, it can be challenging to access and the surrounding area lacks amenities.

Tailgating at Arlington can be challenging due to limited space, but the Bears have completely transformed the gameday experience to make the most of the available land.

Yet though Arlington is not in Chicago, getting there is simple.

At first glance, Arlington Heights appears to be quite distant from Chicago, giving one reason to not favor the idea.

On the other hand, Arlington International is easily accessible, unlike Soldier Field.

As mentioned earlier, the journey is actually more than 30 minutes from downtown, and the bus stop is conveniently located just steps away from the park.

Soldier Field, in contrast, does not have convenient public transportation options. Unless you reside in the South Loop, it can be difficult to access even if you are a Chicago resident, not to mention visitors.

Arlington International has a coach stop and is conveniently located right off Interstate 90.

Moving to Arlington Heights may not necessarily improve the commute for many Chicago residents; rather, they would just be relocating further from traffic.

It’s reasonable, right?

While it’s a possibility, it is unlikely to occur due to several reasons.

It has been reported that the Bears’ agreement with Soldier Field is in place until 2033, making it difficult to terminate without strategic planning.

The next issue is the financial aspect. The Bears is the company owned by the McCaskey Family, who do not have any other business ventures.

The McCaskeys do not fit the traditional image of wealthy sports team owners, even though they are a financially struggling family. Numerous interested parties are eager to collaborate on finding an innovative funding solution to help them succeed.

Lastly, there is the intangible aspect of “tradition.” Despite its imperfections, Soldier Field holds a special place in Bears history, and the proposal to move the team to Arlington Heights has sparked strong opinions on both sides.

Despite the Bears’ lack of success in football, their brand remains strong, with Soldier Field playing a significant role in that reputation.

Engaging in this exercise is definitely enjoyable and sparks creativity. Additionally, life as a Bears fan would certainly be different if it were to happen.