Bears to Provide Stadium Update Thursday as Indiana Officials Back Hammond Site

Chicago Bears officials are slated to deliver an update on Thursday regarding the location of a new stadium, and Indiana officials say the focus remains on sites in Hammond. Governor Mike Braun said his administration is in weekly contact with the team and is confident the Bears will ultimately select a location in the state.

Soil testing continued on Wednesday at a marshy area near the Wolf Lake Terminal, one of several potential sites, with crews drilling and marking utility lines. Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott noted the activity reflects the team's ongoing evaluation and said a local business reported drilling activity in the proposed footprint.

Braun, who recently visited Hammond to assess storm damage, reiterated that the project is in the due-diligence stage and could become “one of the biggest things” for Indiana, adding that the process may take several more months.

McDermott said the Bears told him an announcement is expected on Thursday and expressed hope for positive news. Team sources described the upcoming briefing as a routine pre-season appearance by Chairman George McCaskey and President Kevin Warren.

Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch said discussions continue on the Illinois side but does not anticipate a special legislative session on the matter, emphasizing that any substantive decision would be addressed during a regular veto session.