The Chicago Bears are poised to relocate from the legendary Soldier Field to a new cutting-edge stadium, costing a staggering £3.5 billion ($4.7bn). Soldier Field is one of most renowned venues. It first became home to the franchise in 1971 and also serves as the base for the Chicago Fire of the .

The stadium was once recognised as a National Historic Landmark, although this accolade was rescinded in 2006 due to renovations carried out four years prior. Originally, when it was constructed in 1923 for a modest £750,000 ($1m), the arena could accommodate 74,280 spectators. However, today, it is the smallest stadium in the NFL, with a capacity of just 62,500 seats.

Last year, the Bears unveiled plans to move away from the arena, which is now set to be demolished. The forthcoming Burnham Park Project will be located south of Soldier Field and is expected to house 65,000 fans, with the potential to increase to 77,000.

The ambitious blueprints for the dome-shaped venue estimate a construction cost of around £2.4bn ($3.2bn) with an additional £1.1bn ($1.5bn) earmarked for infrastructure.

The impressive stadium will bear a resemblance to the Minnesota Vikings' spectacular arena, a prominent feature of the Minneapolis skyline. Like the Bears' project, U.S. Bank Stadium also boasts a glass roof and windows, emphasising the use of natural light and the surrounding environment to create an ambiance.

The area around the arena is also poised to be a part of the makeover, not only enhancing the region's aesthetics but also spurring job creation, with a whopping 43,000 jobs forecasted during construction, plus an additional 4,200 long-term roles.

On match days, Bears fans can expect a bustling atmosphere akin to Soldier Field, with added standing-room spaces that encourage a more social experience.

The project ambitiously plans for 14 acres of new athletic fields and recreational areas, boosting the community and tourism alike.

The Bears have set their sights on kick-starting the immense development in the summer of 2025, aiming for the team to start playing there by 2028, while being mindful that delays can hike the costs by as much as £150m ($200m) annually.

Upon completion, the Bears will explore potential naming rights deals for this new sports cathedral. Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson couldn't hide his excitement about the transformation.

"My administration insisted that any new project - especially one on public land - must deliver strong public benefit and public use for the City of Chicago, and I am pleased today that this plan does exactly that," he said.

Bears President Kevin Warren did not shy away from acknowledging the assignment's challenges, yet exhibited unwavering confidence in Chicago's capability to bring this grand vision to life, admitting: "This is not an easy project, but Chicago doesn't like it easy.

"I believe in Mayor Johnson. I believe in his staff, his vision; I believe in this city. I don't look at it as being a renter - I look at it as being able to develop a relationship, to be able to come together."