Everybody can see the writing on the wall at this point. After months of flirting with the idea of staying downtown, the Chicago Bears now seem set on their path to a new stadium in Arlington Heights. It is still difficult to understand why it took this long. The only thing standing in the way was a property tax disagreement. That was eventually resolved without too many headaches, yet team president Kevin Warren drew things out because he apparently dreamed of a downtown complex. Once the state government made it clear no public funding was forthcoming, Warren had to pivot.
The only uncertainty now is when the team will make it official. It was always indicated they’d like to get shovels in the ground before the end of this year. Their last opportunity to get the necessary legislation for it will be in October. In the meantime, it appears the Bears might be quietly collecting information on the new stadium design. A photo of a possible seating layout for the building that was supposedly sent as part of a survey to season ticket holders has leaked online.
If true, this Chicago Bears layout confirms a longstanding rumor.
The belief was the organization wanted to follow the same parameters as the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. That photo all but confirms it. When you put the two layouts side by side, it is hardly difficult to see the similarities.
Obviously, nothing is set in stone. This could be just a way for the Chicago Bears to test the waters, seeing how fans react to one possible design. For what it’s worth, Allegiant is routinely one of the highest-rated venues in the NFL, praised for its excellent sight lines, sound architecture, and amenities. The Bears know they have a large and passionate fan base. Building a stadium that caters to them makes the most sense. An Allegiant-like venue would do that, even if it might not be the most original.
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