CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Bears organization has taken a significant step in its ongoing pursuit of a new stadium, distributing a comprehensive survey to a selection of season ticket holders. The survey, sent out on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, signals the team’s proactive engagement with its fan base approximately two months after publicly reaffirming its primary focus on the 326-acre property in Arlington Heights.
Details of the survey, as initially reported by Christopher Placek of the Chicago Daily Herald and noted by the Sports Business Journal, provide the most concrete glimpse yet into the potential scope and financial structure of a future facility. While the survey reportedly did not explicitly name the specific Arlington Heights site, its content strongly suggested a detailed vision for a large-scale venue.
Decoding the Financial Implications: Seating and PSLs
A key component of the questionnaire presented season ticket holders with a proposed seating chart. This chart outlined multiple seating levels within the potential new stadium and detailed a wide spectrum of associated price points for Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs). PSLs, which grant the holder the right to purchase season tickets for a specific seat, are a common funding mechanism for new sports venues.
The financial range presented in the survey was notably broad, with potential PSL costs starting at approximately $1,000 for a seat located in a corner end zone. At the higher end, potential costs soared to an estimated $115,000 for a coveted field level seat. This wide variance underscores the potential scale of the project and the different tiers of investment envisioned for various seating locations within the proposed structure.
Enhancing the Fan Experience: Pre- and Post-Game Preferences
Beyond the core seating and ticketing structure, the survey delved into aspects of the overall fan experience. It polled recipients on their preferences for pre- and post-game activities, seeking input on desired amenities and atmospheres surrounding game days. Specific examples mentioned included the importance of tailgating areas – a long-standing tradition among Bears fans – as well as preferences regarding on-site restaurants and bars.
Understanding these fan desires is crucial for designing a facility that not only hosts football games but also provides a desirable destination experience for attendees before and after kickoff.
Imagining the Future: Non-Game Day Uses
A modern stadium is often envisioned as a multi-purpose venue capable of generating revenue and engaging the community year-round. The Bears’ survey explored this potential extensively, asking fans about their interest in various non-game day uses for the facility and surrounding complex.
Proposed concepts included the potential establishment of a Chicago Bears Hall of Fame, offering fans a dedicated space to celebrate team history. A broader Chicago Sports Museum was also listed, suggesting a potential regional sports attraction. Other potential non-game day activities included hosting live music events, offering retail shopping opportunities, and providing diverse dining options.
These elements highlight a vision for the Arlington Heights property as a comprehensive entertainment district, not solely dedicated to seven or eight regular-season home games per year.
Navigating the Journey: Transportation and Logistics
A critical factor in any potential move from the team’s historic home at Soldier Field is the impact on fan travel. The survey directly addressed this concern by asking season ticket holders about their current travel times and methods to reach Soldier Field.
Crucially, it also sought input on how they would anticipate traveling to a new stadium location, presenting various transportation methods for consideration. This included options such as driving, public transit, ride-sharing services, and potentially other innovative solutions. Gauging fan perspectives on transportation is vital for infrastructure planning and mitigating potential logistical challenges associated with a move to a new suburban location.
Context of the Stadium Pursuit
The distribution of this detailed survey arrives as the Bears continue to navigate the complex path toward securing a new home. After initially focusing heavily on the Arlington Heights site, the team had briefly explored other possibilities, including remaining in the city of Chicago, before publicly recommitting its primary attention back to the suburban property in the spring of 2025.
This survey represents a concrete step in understanding the financial viability, fan preferences, and logistical considerations tied to the Arlington Heights vision. The data gathered will likely inform the team’s planning, potential financing strategies, and future discussions with stakeholders as they work towards potentially developing a new state-of-the-art facility.
