The Chicago Bears camp at home
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The Chicago Bears are entering their third week of training camp, preparing for their first preseason game at Soldier Field on Saturday.
Why it matters: The Bears recently moved their training camp to Halas Hall in Lake Forest, abandoning a long-held tradition to give fans a chance to see the team closer to home.
Flashback: Throughout the franchise's history, the team has held camp in nearby small towns in Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois. Some fans would make the trek to watch the Bears as part of family vacations, while the players shared dorm rooms.
Yes, but: In 2020, the Bears moved camp back to their headquarters in Lake Forest after they renovated their practice facilities. Now players and personnel can go home after practice, or stay in a nearby hotel.
Context: NFL teams used to conduct training camps off-site at small college campuses, but several franchises have changed course and use their normal practice facilities instead.
- The Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers are some of a handful of teams that still use nearby campuses.
What they're saying: "This is our third year hosting fans at Halas Hall for training camp," Bears senior vice president of marketing and communications Scott Hagel tells Axios.
- "Fans bring energy and enthusiasm to our practices, which helps us prepare for the season."
Details: The Halas Hall facilities are massive, sporting several new amenities, including a number of practice fields.
- Fans stand at the edge of the fields or cram in bleachers to watch stars like Justin Fields work out while rap blares over the loudspeakers.
That's not all. The Bears' new fan features have made it feel more like a street festival than football practice.
- They've reconfigured their parking lot to include live performances, autograph booths, face painters and food trucks.
What's next: Tickets are free but need to be secured in advance. The last public practice will be Thursday.