Proposed privately financed domed stadium and mixed‑use district at the former racecourse site.
Arlington Heights, Illinois, September 10, 2025
A Chicago NFL team has confirmed plans to build a privately financed fixed‑roof domed stadium and a surrounding mixed‑use district on a 326‑acre suburban site. The full development is projected as roughly a $5 billion investment, with the stadium portion about $2 billion and seating for 65,000–70,000 fans. Project leaders say construction could generate tens of thousands of construction jobs and significant statewide economic impact, and that stadium construction will proceed without state funding. Plans include retail, housing, a hotel, parkland, planned commuter rail access, expanded roads and extensive approvals and studies before groundbreaking.
Most important: The football team has confirmed plans to build a fixed‑roof domed stadium and a surrounding mixed‑use district on the 326‑acre former Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights. The overall site development is estimated at about $5 billion, with the stadium construction alone projected at roughly $2 billion. Team officials say stadium construction will require zero state funding.
The planned venue would seat between 65,000 and 70,000 fans and be paired with retail, restaurants, housing, a hotel, parkland, expanded parking and new infrastructure to improve access and tailgating. The development is expected to include direct Metra train access. The Bears purchased the site in 2023 for $197 million.
Project proponents say the buildout will create more than 56,000 construction jobs during the development phase and about 9,000 permanent jobs once operational. The team projects a statewide economic impact near $10 billion. The organization is working with state and local officials on agreements covering property tax certainty and infrastructure contributions. While the stadium construction itself is planned to be privately financed, a proposed statewide “mega‑project” measure under consideration in the state legislature could provide support for site infrastructure and public improvements.
A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the team and the Village of Arlington Heights. Traffic, infrastructure and tax studies are underway. The team has indicated readiness to break ground as soon as late 2025 if required legislative and local approvals are finalized, and has identified a possible opening window in 2028 contingent on timely approvals and permitting.
The stadium construction is estimated at about $2 billion, with the full site program bringing total investment closer to $5 billion. If built as proposed, the venue would join a small group of NFL stadiums that were privately financed. Observers note this would be one of the largest construction projects in the state’s history and would reshape the suburban landscape.
The broader regional construction market is described as operating in two realities: major adaptive reuse and infrastructure projects are moving ahead while many developments face financing pressure from higher interest rates and volatile material costs. Industry leaders point to growing opportunities in multifamily, retail and industrial sectors and to adaptive reuse as the most robust area right now. At the same time, office construction remains limited and rising costs, tariffs and financial uncertainty create execution risk for large builds. Public incentives and creative contracting approaches are playing an increasing role in making complex projects feasible.
Project planners indicate the Arlington Heights location meets specific criteria for creating a large, consolidated stadium and entertainment district with available land, transit access and room for parking and parkland—elements that are difficult to assemble inside a dense urban core.
Village leadership has entered a memorandum of understanding with the team, and state and local negotiations are focused on assuring property tax treatment and defining infrastructure contributions. While the stadium itself is planned without state construction dollars, public funding or legislative actions could help underwrite roads, transit access and other public improvements tied to the site.
Supporters position the development as capable of bringing major national and international events to the region, including large sporting events and concerts. If approved and built on the proposed schedule, the project would represent a significant investment in suburban infrastructure and a major stimulus to the local construction economy.
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The plan calls for a fixed‑roof domed stadium seating 65,000–70,000 and a surrounding mixed‑use district with retail, housing, hotel, parkland and transportation improvements on a 326‑acre former racecourse site.
Total site investment is estimated at about $5 billion, with the stadium construction alone projected at approximately $2 billion.
The team states the stadium construction will require zero state funding, though public funds or legislative measures could be used to support infrastructure and public improvements tied to the site.
Break ground could be as soon as late 2025 if approvals are secured. A potential opening date has been identified as 2028 if permitting and construction proceed on the projected timeline.
Officials project more than 56,000 construction jobs during the build and about 9,000 permanent jobs once the development is operational.
Current plans include direct Metra train access as well as expanded parking and new access infrastructure to support events and daily activity.
Local village approvals, state legislative actions related to infrastructure funding and other planning and permitting clearances are required before full project execution.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Site | 326 acres at former Arlington International Racecourse |
| Stadium type | Fixed‑roof domed stadium |
| Seating | 65,000–70,000 |
| Stadium cost | About $2 billion |
| Total investment | Approximately $5 billion |
| Construction jobs | More than 56,000 |
| Permanent jobs | About 9,000 |
| Purchase price (2023) | $197 million |
| Transit | Direct Metra access planned |
| Funding model | Privately financed stadium; public support possible for infrastructure |
| Potential opening | Possible 2028 if approvals and construction proceed on schedule |
Details compiled from a staff report generated on Wed, 10 Sep 2025. This summary is for informational purposes and reflects project plans, estimates and statements available at the time of publication.
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