The Chicago Bears all but slammed the door on building an enclosed stadium in the city, with team president Kevin Warren writing in a letter to fans on Monday that the team’s “future home” is in

The Chicago Bears all but slammed the door on building an enclosed stadium in the city, with team president Kevin Warren writing in a letter to fans on Monday that the team’s “future home” is in suburban Arlington Heights.

Bears President Kevin Warren made his pitch for a new Arlington Heights stadium to fans in a letter hours before the team's season opener.

The Chicago Bears made Soldier Field their official home in 1971. Before that, they played at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 after they spent their first season in Decatur, Ill. In 2002, while Soldier Field was being renovated,

The Chicago Bears are planning to move out of the city, their home for more than 100 years, with the team’s owners forgoing state money and deciding to build a new stadium in the suburbs. Chief Executive Officer Kevin Warren told fans on Monday — just hours before the Bears’ season opener against the Minnesota Vikings — that the National Football League team plans to build a stadium in Arlington Heights.

In their clearest signal yet that they plan to build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, the Bears sent season ticket holders a letter saying they hope to break ground soon so they can bid to host a Super Bowl as early as 2031.