Proposed privately financed domed stadium and mixed‑use district at the former racecourse site.
Arlington Heights, Illinois, September 10, 2025
A Chicago NFL team has confirmed plans to build a privately financed fixed‑roof domed stadium and a surrounding mixed‑use district on a 326‑acre suburban site. The full development is projected as roughly a $5 billion investment, with the stadium portion about $2 billion and seating for 65,000–70,000 fans. Project leaders say construction could generate tens of thousands of construction jobs and significant statewide economic impact, and that stadium construction will proceed without state funding. Plans include retail, housing, a hotel, parkland, planned commuter rail access, expanded roads and extensive approvals and studies before groundbreaking.
A major suburban redevelopment plan has been confirmed that would replace a former racetrack with a fixed‑roof, domed stadium and a surrounding entertainment and residential district. The overall project is described as a $5 billion private development on a 326‑acre site, with stadium construction alone projected at about $2 billion. Team officials say the plan would require zero state funding for stadium construction and would be financed privately.
The planned arena would seat between 65,000 and 70,000 fans and be accompanied by retail, restaurants, housing, a hotel and parkland in a mixed‑use district. The development would include direct commuter rail (Metra) access, expanded parking, and new infrastructure to improve site access and tailgating. Officials estimate the project would create more than 56,000 construction jobs during the build and roughly 9,000 permanent jobs when fully operational, producing an estimated $10 billion statewide economic impact.
The 326‑acre parcel was purchased in 2023 for $197 million. Local officials and the team have signed a memorandum of understanding to begin detailed planning. Traffic, infrastructure and tax studies are underway as part of the review process. The team is negotiating with state and local leaders on property tax certainty and infrastructure contributions. A proposed state bill targeting very large developments could help support public improvements at the site, but team leaders emphasize no state funds will be used to build the stadium itself.
The team says it could be prepared to break ground as early as late 2025 if legislative and local approvals are finalized, with a possible opening as soon as 2028. If approved, the project would rank among the largest construction undertakings in the state and join a short list of privately financed professional sports venues nationwide.
Current plans call for a fixed‑roof dome rather than an open stadium, tailored to host a mix of professional football, major concerts and international sporting events. The surrounding district is expected to include retail, restaurants, multifamily housing, a hotel and public parkland, creating year‑round uses beyond game days. The plan also emphasizes improved transit connections with direct commuter rail access and upgraded road and parking infrastructure to handle event traffic and tailgating.
Officials forecast large short‑term and long‑term employment impacts. The construction phase is projected to generate tens of thousands of construction jobs across multiple trades, while operations would support thousands of ongoing positions in hospitality, retail, maintenance and facility operations. The overall economic impact statewide is projected at about $10 billion, according to estimates released by the team.
The project arrives amid a construction market described as operating in two distinct modes. Large adaptive reuse and infrastructure projects continue to move ahead while financing remains tighter for many new projects because of high interest rates and cost volatility. Local builders report growing opportunities in multifamily, retail and industrial sectors and in adaptive reuse work, even as office development remains muted. Contractors cite materials tariffs, rising costs and uncertain capital markets as ongoing risks that can shift project economics quickly.
Developers and contractors are also noting that public incentives and government guarantees can materially change feasibility for complex projects. For this suburban stadium proposal, negotiations over property tax certainty and infrastructure responsibilities are central to both public and private decision‑making.
The next steps include continued technical studies, final design phases and securing local and state approvals. Legislative action could play a role in enabling public infrastructure investments tied to the site. If approvals proceed on an accelerated schedule, ground work could begin by late 2025 with the facility potentially opening in 2028.
Cost and scope figures currently under discussion are estimates and subject to change as design, permitting and financing progress. Stakeholders emphasize contingency planning for rising costs and supply‑chain pressures typical in large, multi‑year construction programs.
A privately financed domed stadium with seating for 65,000–70,000, plus a mixed‑use district that includes retail, restaurants, housing, a hotel and public parkland on a 326‑acre former racecourse site.
The stadium construction is estimated at about $2 billion; total site development investment is projected to be closer to $5 billion.
Team officials state that stadium construction will require no state funding. Discussions are ongoing about public contributions to infrastructure and tax certainty; a proposed legislative bill could support site public improvements.
Officials say ground could be broken as soon as late 2025 if approvals are secured, with a possible opening in 2028.
Officials estimate more than 56,000 construction jobs during development and about 9,000 permanent jobs once the site is operational.
Plans call for direct commuter rail access, expanded parking, and upgraded road infrastructure to handle event traffic and support year‑round district activity.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Site size | 326 acres — former racetrack parcel |
| Total estimated investment | $5 billion (approximate) |
| Stadium cost | About $2 billion |
| Seating capacity | 65,000–70,000 |
| Jobs (construction) | More than 56,000 estimated |
| Jobs (permanent) | About 9,000 once operational |
| Transit | Direct commuter rail access, expanded parking and upgraded roads |
| Purchase price (site) | $197 million (acquired in 2023) |
| Potential timeline | Groundbreaking as soon as late 2025; possible opening 2028 if approvals proceed |
For advertising inquiries related to coverage of construction projects, a contact phone number has been provided by stakeholders: call (888) 627‑8717 ext 212 or request information through the site’s advertising and sponsorship link.
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