Overview
- Portage, Indiana publicly launched a $5 billion lakefront proposal dubbed Halas Harbor that officials say would carry zero taxpayer burden and no team debt.
- The plan outlines a 70,000-plus seat stadium on roughly 300 acres, with financing described as fully private from Chicago businessman Lou Weisbach.
- Backers said construction could begin as soon as June 2026, with a presenter at the rollout declaring the project ready to proceed once approved.
- The bid joins a multistate contest that includes pitches from other Northwest Indiana cities and a new Iowa bill to expand incentives under its MEGA program.
- Illinois continues efforts to keep the team at the Arlington Park site purchased in 2023, with a consultant predicting progress in Springfield and Arlington Heights’ mayor citing momentum among state lawmakers.