Fans Outraged by Bears' Controversial Stadium Decision
You can take the Bears out of Chicago, but you can’t take the Chicago out of the Bears.
Right?
That’s what Chicago Bears fans tell themselves to cope with Friday’s news.
“Yesterday, the Chicago Bears Board of Directors met and voted to advance our stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, with the exact site to be selected,” Bears chairman George H. McCaskey and president and CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement.
“We believe a world-class stadium project in Hammond will transform the region, connecting Northwest Indiana to the South Side of Chicago through the Loop and across neighborhoods and suburbs stretching north of the city. It will bring Chicagoland together and deliver new opportunities to its residents and businesses.”
Bears and NFL fans aren’t buying it in the comments - nearly 5,000 comments on X and even more on Instagram.
“The CHICAGO Bears, located in Indiana. You don’t hear how crazy that sounds?” one X user wrote.
“Congratulations to the Gary Bears on their beautiful new stadium!” another user posted.
A fan named Brandon wrote, “Will Madden change their cover now that it’s the Hammond Bears? Or the Indiana Bears? I love the Bears but I ain’t driving to Indiana. [Illinois] Politicians quite literally dropped the ball here.”
Toronto Star columnist Bruce Arthur commiserated from afar, writing, “Mostly, sports teams don’t love you back.”
Over on Instagram, a fan named Mia commented, “Can we petition or something? [crying emoji].” And that pretty much sums up the predominant sentiment.
One season ticket holder for over 50 years named John took it one step further, writing, “What a shame. Bye, bye, Bears. Thanks for breaking our hearts the second you produce an exciting team.”
McCaskey and Warren’s statement punctuates a week that saw “Madden 27” unveil quarterback Caleb Williams as its cover star - making him the first-ever Bears player to grace the iconic video game’s cover. Last season, offensive wunderkind head coach Ben Johnson and Williams, the 2024 No. 1 overall pick, led the Bears to their first NFC North title since 2018.
Soldier Field, home of the Bears for a little while longer, is the oldest stadium in the NFL. Hammond, Indiana, is roughly 30 minutes south, but it couldn’t feel further away from the heart of Chicago.
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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 6:47 PM.