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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stadium construction is projected to cost about $2 billion, and total site development investment is projected to be about $5 billion.
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.
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.
Leaders say they could break ground as soon as late 2025 if approvals are secured, with a possible opening in 2028.
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.
Traffic, infrastructure and tax studies are in progress. The team and local officials will pursue legislative, zoning and permitting approvals before finalizing construction timelines.
| 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.
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