The Stadium Club

WGN’s Ryan Burrow talks with Ryan Culligan, a design partner in Skidmore, Owings and Merrill on plans to build a new Bears stadium in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood. The location would be on the same site as Rate Field, as the White Sox consider a move to the South Loop.

• Bears Aerial_Copyright SOM 2026
• Bears District_Copyright SOM 2026
• Bears Tailgate_Copyright SOM 2026
• Bears 35th Street_Copyright SOM 2026
• Bears Neighborhood_Copyright SOM 2026

WGN’s Ryan Burrow talks with Matt Rucins, Director of Content and Programming at the United Center and the 1901 Project, about what will be the new 6,000 seat Music Hall just outside of the United Center as part of the 1901 Project.  Ground was broken this summer.  Bookings for shows will start soon.

• 1901 Project Music Hall (Rendering courtesy RIOS)
• 1901 Project Music Hall (Rendering courtesy RIOS)
• 1901 Project Music Hall (Rendering courtesy RIOS)
• 1901 Project Music Hall (Rendering courtesy RIOS)

Northwestern Wildcats play-by-play broadcaster Dave Eanet and former Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa talk with Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson about the brand-new Ryan Field, which is set to open Friday.  

• New Ryan Field in Evanston, IL (Dave Eanet / WGN Radio)
• New Ryan Field in Evanston, IL (Dave Eanet / WGN Radio)
• New Ryan Field in Evanston, IL (Dave Eanet / WGN Radio)

Chicago 11th Ward Alderwoman Nicole Lee talks about Amtrak’s effort to put a new rail yard in her district, which could squeeze the White Sox out of the neighborhood. The White Sox’ owner-in-waiting already has plans to move the team.

University of Illinois Deputy Director of Athletics Tom Michael talks with WGN’s Ryan Burrow about the massive new video board installed at Gies Memorial Stadium for the 2026 college football season. Additional improvements include ribbon boards around the field and a new audio system. The $40 million stadium upgrades come as the result of $100 million from alum Larry Gies in 2025.

See the board here: https://www.wcia.com/news/champaign-county/construction-on-largest-college-video-board-nearly-complete-at-u-of-i/

Chicago-based Momento has been installing photo technology in stadiums and arenas across the country, capturing fans celebrating and agonizing during the most exciting moments in a game. Think of it as a “roller coaster picture” for sports. It’s a growing business as professional teams look to enhance the fan experience. Cameras were installed in Wrigley Field in June.  WGN’s Ryan Burrow talks about the technology with Sports Broadcasting Hall of Famer Tom Fletcher.

• Tom Flecher of Momento shows some images taken by his cameras during the Cubs vs. White Sox game 8/17/2026 (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Momento Chicago Office (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)

Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren and Chairman George McCaskey say Hammond, Indiana remains the sole focus for a site for a new stadium for the team.  On this edition of ‘The Stadium Club’, listen to their words in full about the progress on their plans, and response to criticism on potentially moving the team.  They spoke ahead of the team’s first pre-season game of the 2026 season.

Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the President’s Cup, took WGN’s Ryan Burrow on a golf cart tour of the build-outs ongoing ahead of the tournament at Medinah Country Club, September 22-September 27.

• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Preparations underway at Medinah Country Club for the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)
• Ryan Burrow with Joie Chitwood, Executive Director of the President’s Cup (Ryan Burrow / WGN Radio)

WGN’s Ryan Burrow gets an update from Pat Ryan, Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development, on the construction of the new Ryan Field in Evanston.

Mayor of Arlington Heights Jim Tinaglia joins the Lisa Dent Show to share his thoughts on the Bears moving to Hammond, Indiana. He expresses disappointment in the news as he describes the last four years of trying to get Arlington Heights to be the Bears’ new home. Despite his disappointment, he maintains hope that the Bears still have a future in the village.