Published on: January 17, 2026, 09:49h.
Updated on: January 17, 2026, 09:49h.
- Gary is aiming to entice the NFL’s Chicago Bears to Northwest Indiana
- Gary has submitted three stadium proposals to the team
Dubbed “The Ultimate Comeback Story,” the City of Gary has initiated a campaign to attract the NFL’s Chicago Bears, offering a range of tax incentives in Northwest Indiana.
The Chicago Bears are considering options for a new, state-of-the-art stadium. Potential sites include locations just south of the existing Soldier Field and Arlington Heights, located to the northwest of the city and near O’Hare International Airport.
While the Bears’ lease for Soldier Field, owned by the city, continues through 2033, the team can opt out for a substantial fee. Officials in Gary are advocating passionately to relocate the historic NFL franchise about 25 air miles southeast to their city.
Proposed Hard Rock Casino Stadium District
Gary’s plan features three potential sites for the new Bears stadium: Buffington Harbor, Miller Beach, and the West End, which is conveniently located next to the Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana.
The proposal highlights the casino’s 400-acre expanses, offering easy access to Interstates 80 and 94, entertainment facilities, and the planned Lake County Convention Center.
To further entice the Bears, Gary is leveraging Indiana’s Headquarters Relocation Tax Credit, granting refundable tax benefits to businesses that move their headquarters to the state. Additionally, designating the stadium sites as opportunity zones would alleviate capital gains taxes on long-term ventures.
“In football, potential gets you drafted, but performance secures victories. I’ve applied my quarterback mentality to municipal projects. We aren’t merely planning a comeback; we’re making it happen. We’ve eradicated blight, secured significant funding for our transit center, and businesses are returning to Gary. The results speak for themselves — Gary is on the rise,” stated Gary Mayor Eddie Melton, who previously played quarterback at Kentucky State University.
Since its opening in May 2021, Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana has established itself with over 1,700 slot machines, 80 live dealer games, and a sportsbook. The complex also features six dining establishments and a 2,700-seat venue for live performances.
Currently, an on-site hotel is lacking; however, the $100 million Lake County Convention Center, approved last year and adjacent to the casino, will feature a 300-room hotel.
While the idea of Gary becoming the Chicago Bears’ new home may seem far-fetched, it is noteworthy that the Bears remain under the ownership of the descendants of George “Papa Bear” Halas, the Chicago native who founded the team in 1920. Current owner George McCaskey was born in Chicago and currently resides in the northwestern suburbs.
Connections to Northern Indiana
Historically, Northwest Indiana has been considered part of the broader Chicagoland area. The metropolitan statistical area for Chicago includes Lake County and Gary in Indiana.
Founded in 1906 by U.S. Steel for the establishment of its Gary Works plant, the city was an industrial powerhouse. Its steel plant fostered a vibrant community, peaking in population through the early 1970s.
However, Gary’s economic landscape and quality of life began to deteriorate during the 1970s and 1980s due to global competition from European and Japanese steel mills and the rise of automation, resulting in significant layoffs at Gary Works.
Today, Gary’s population stands around 69,000, a stark contrast to the nearly 180,000 residents the city boasted in the late 1960s.