Arlington Heights, Illinois, September 10, 2025
News Summary
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.
Chicago NFL team confirms privately financed $5 billion domed stadium and mixed‑use district in Arlington Heights
Summary: Team officials have confirmed plans to develop a fixed‑roof domed stadium and a surrounding mixed‑use district on a 326‑acre suburban site. The privately financed project is described as a roughly $5 billion investment, with the stadium portion alone projected to cost about $2 billion. Project leaders say construction would create more than 56,000 construction jobs and deliver about $10 billion in statewide economic impact. The team says stadium construction will proceed with zero state funding.
Top details first
The development would be built on the former Arlington International Racecourse site, a 326‑acre property purchased by the team in 2023 for $197 million. Current plans call for a domed stadium with seating for 65,000–70,000 fans, plus retail, restaurants, housing, a hotel and parkland wrapped into a larger entertainment and commercial district. Team officials are describing the effort as a major private investment intended to position the region to host large national and international events.
Timing, approvals and financing
Project leaders say no state dollars will be used to build the stadium. The team is negotiating with state and local authorities on property tax certainty and contributions to infrastructure. A proposed statewide bill under consideration could provide support for site infrastructure and public improvements, but that would be separate from stadium construction funding. If legislative and local approvals are secured, leaders say they are prepared to break ground as soon as late 2025, with a possible opening in 2028.
Jobs, economic impact and operational goals
Officials estimate the development will create more than 56,000 construction jobs over the build period and about 9,000 permanent jobs once the district is operational. The stated statewide economic impact associated with the project is approximately $10 billion. The planned venue is intended to host marquee events including championship football games, major college tournaments, global soccer matches and large concerts.
Site planning and access
Plans under discussion include direct commuter rail (Metra) access, expanded parking, and new roads and infrastructure designed to improve access and accommodate large tailgating crowds. The village government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the team, and traffic, infrastructure and tax studies are currently underway to evaluate local impacts and needed improvements.
Scale and significance
If approved, the complex would join a short list of privately financed NFL venues and would be among the largest construction projects in the state’s history. The development would dramatically reshape the suburban landscape at the former racecourse site, replacing the racetrack footprint with a mixed‑use district built around a major sports and entertainment venue.
Market context and construction climate
The announcement arrives amid a broader regional construction market that is described by industry participants as operating in two realities. Developers are pursuing large adaptive reuse and infrastructure projects while facing tight financing due to high interest rates and volatile material costs. Some sectors such as multifamily, retail and industrial show robust activity, while office construction remains depressed. Contractors and developers are relying on creative solutions, incentive structures and careful risk management to keep complex projects viable.
Next steps
- Completion of environmental, traffic and tax impact studies
- Negotiations on property tax certainty and infrastructure contributions with state and local officials
- Legislative review of proposed bills that could fund public infrastructure linked to the site
- Planning and permitting processes, followed by potential groundbreaking in late 2025
FAQ
What is being proposed?
The project calls for a privately financed domed stadium with seating for 65,000–70,000 and a surrounding mixed‑use district including retail, restaurants, housing, a hotel and parkland on a 326‑acre site.
How much will it cost?
Stadium construction is projected to cost about $2 billion, and total site development investment is projected to be about $5 billion.
Who is paying for the stadium?
The team says stadium construction will be privately financed and will not use state dollars. Negotiations with state and local officials are ongoing regarding infrastructure contributions and tax certainty.
What are the job and economic impacts?
Officials estimate more than 56,000 construction jobs during the build and about 9,000 permanent jobs after opening. Projected statewide economic impact is roughly $10 billion.
When could construction begin and the venue open?
Leaders say they could break ground as soon as late 2025 if approvals are secured, with a possible opening in 2028.
Will the project require public funding for infrastructure?
Stadium construction is described as privately funded. A proposed legislative vehicle could support public infrastructure and improvements tied to the site, and local agreements on infrastructure contributions are being negotiated.
What happens next in the approval process?
Traffic, infrastructure and tax studies are in progress. The team and local officials will pursue legislative, zoning and permitting approvals before finalizing construction timelines.
Key project features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Site | 326 acres at the former Arlington International Racecourse (purchased in 2023) |
| Total investment | Approximately $5 billion (sitewide) |
| Stadium cost | Approximately $2 billion (fixed‑roof dome) |
| Seating capacity | 65,000–70,000 |
| Jobs | ~56,000 construction jobs; ~9,000 permanent jobs post‑opening |
| Economic impact | Estimated $10 billion statewide |
| Access | Direct commuter rail access planned; expanded parking and new road infrastructure proposed |
| Public funding | Team states stadium will use zero state funding; public infrastructure support under discussion |
| Timeline (target) | Potential groundbreaking late 2025; possible opening in 2028, subject to approvals |
Information in this article summarizes publicly announced plans and statements by project leaders and local officials. Studies and approvals are ongoing and project elements such as timing, scale and financing remain subject to change.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- Chicago Construction News: Chicago Bears Arlington Heights stadium project projected at $5 billion
- Wikipedia: Arlington Heights, Illinois
- WISH-TV: Chicago construction firm joins $105M mixed-use project in Westfield
- Google Search: Westfield mixed-use project Chicago
- RE Journals: Construction in Chicago betting big amid financing headwinds
- Google Scholar: construction financing Chicago
- Chicago Construction News: Chicago leads U.S. metros in drop in new apartment construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: apartment construction
- Chicago Tribune: Obama Center construction $615 million, opening nears
- Google News: Obama Presidential Center construction
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