In search of a venue larger than their previous home of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Bears moved into Soldier Field full-time in 1971. Since then, Soldier Field, and its classically columned façade, has become a symbol of the Bears, with 61,500 fans pouring into the stadium on game days to watch their favorite team.
But after more than 50 years at Soldier Field, which has become the smallest-capacity stadium in the NFL, the Bears have started to search for a new home. They first declared their interest in moving by purchasing the former Arlington Park race track in Arlington Heights. But as negotiations with that suburb have dragged on, the Bears have received several overtures offers from other towns eager to have (or, in the case of Chicago, keep) the team.
As the Bears season gets underway, we’re taking a look at potential new homes for the team…and nearby homes for you if you’d like to follow in their footsteps.