Bill Creating NWI Stadium Authority Names Hammond as Potential Bears Site

In Hammond, the city announced this morning Thursday February 19 2026 that the Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee in a unanimous vote, 24-0, amended Senate Bill 27 and named Hammond as the location for a potential new stadium site in northwest Indiana for the Chicago Bears. In a news release, Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott, Jr., said, “This is a very important step in the effort the State of Indiana has made to bring the Chicago Bears to Indiana. It confirms that if the Bears move to Indiana, it’s going to be to Hammond.” A news release also said the amendment details the creation of a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, Northwest Indiana Stadium Board as well as allowing the enactment of a Northwest Indiana Stadium Development District and Northwest Indiana Professional Sports Development Area to be located in Hammond. Here is a link for more details.