Since the early 1970s the Chicago Bears have played along the lakefront in downtown Chicago, at two different stadiums known as Soldier Field. The newest Soldier Field opened in 2003, at the same location as the previous stadium. While only two decades old, the stadium is now one of the oldest in the NFL and considered by many as one of the worst and oddest stadiums. Soldier Field was built into the same footprint of the existing Soldier Field and has an odd seating layout. Over the past two years the Bears have explored several locations to potentially construct a new stadium. In April 2024 they announced plans to build a new stadium adjacent to Soldier Field. At a cost of $3.2 billion, it would be an enclosed stadium featuring a translucent roof and massive glass panels to allow natural light in. It would seat approximately 65,000. The Bears would pay approximately $2.05 billion of the construction costs, with the remaining coming from the NFL ($300 million) and the Illinois Sports Authority ($900 million). If approved construction would begin in 2025 and the stadium would open in 2028. Soldier Field would be demolished, except for the historic colonnades and the area surrounding the stadium would be repurposed into 14 acres of athletic fields.