The may soon face their longtime division rival, the , in a different state if the Bears’ stadium plans outside Illinois move forward.

During the 2025 season, Detroit closed out the regular season with a road victory over Chicago at , giving head coach Dan Campbell another winning year. However, future matchups could take place outside Illinois as the Bears evaluate a potential new stadium in Hammond, Indiana.

Indiana Legislature Advances Stadium Framework

Momentum increased after Indiana lawmakers passed legislation creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority. The bill allows the authority to build, finance, and lease a new stadium site near Wolf Lake in Hammond.

In a team statement, the Bears said the legislation represents major progress in their long-term stadium plans:

“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. We are committed to completing the remaining site-specific due diligence to support our vision of building a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”

The organization also praised Indiana political leaders for helping move the project forward and reaffirmed its commitment to continued negotiations.

Indiana Leaders Welcome the Bears

Indiana officials confirmed ongoing talks with the Bears and expressed confidence in the proposed Hammond site.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun stated that the state has created a framework to negotiate a final agreement and is prepared to move forward if site evaluations proceed smoothly.

“Indiana is open for business. We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for completing a final deal.”

Playing in Another State Isn’t Unusual

If the Bears relocate their home games to Indiana, they would not be the first NFL franchise to play outside their namesake state. Both the and the play their home games at in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

What It Means for the Lions

A potential Bears move to Indiana would reshape one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries and could impact travel, fan attendance, and regional market dynamics. For the Lions, it could mean future road games against Chicago taking place outside Illinois for the first time in franchise history.

As negotiations continue, the Bears’ stadium plans remain a developing story that could redefine the NFC North landscape in the years ahead.