Rosemont cut the ribbon on a new ice arena neighboring the Allstate Arena. It brings the Chicago Wolves practices to Rosemont, and offers future events to hockey teams across the region. WGN’s Ryan Burrow spoke with Nick Papanicholas Junior, CEO of the Nicholas Family of Companies.

WGN’s Ryan Burrow speaks with Pat Ryan Junior of Ryan Sports Development about progress being made on the new home of Northwestern Football, Ryan Field. The final steel beam is in place, a year before the state of the art 35,000 seat stadium is set to open.

Chicago Fire FC is preparing to build a new 22,000 seat home in downtown Chicago on the much sought after property known as “The 78.” WGN’s Ryan Burrow saw the property up close, and spoke with Dave Baldwin, the club’s president of Business Operations.

The Daily Herald’s Chris Placek talks with WGN’s Ryan Burrow about the latest plans for moving the Bears to Arlington Heights, and what still needs to be done to make a move official.

WGN’s Patrick Elwood takes a look at where the Bears stadium plans stand as the team takes the field for the 2025 season.

WGN’s Ryan Burrow spoke with Illinois State Representative Mary Beth Canty of Arlington Heights who has introduced a mega project bill that could provide some benefits to a Bears move to her hometown. State legislators have indicated they have no appetite for giving the Bears state money. But Rep. Canty has created a bill that would give more power to local taxing bodies over large pieces of land to entice business.

WGN’s Ryan Burrow talks with Illinois State Representative Kam Buckner after he published a scathing Chicago Tribune op-ed condemning the Bears for seeking state property tax relief. The Bears are pushing for passage of a bill that would lock in low property taxes on a domed Arlington Heights stadium. Rep. Buckner says the team hasn’t shown a new stadium would bring value to the state and believes the Bears should be better partners in the city of Chicago.

In 2026, Northwestern will open the brand-new Ryan Field, a 35,000 seat, first-of-its-kind (and most expensive) college football stadium in the United States. While it will only be a fraction of the capacity of some of the stadiums of its Big Ten rivals, the goal is to build a venue that creates an intimate setting that competes with watching games on TV. Even fans at the highest level of the stadium will be closer than fans in lower bowls at other stadiums. It will also offer a new music venue to the Chicago area. WGN’s Ryan Burrow talked with Pat Ryan Jr., whose Ryan Sports Development is overseeing the project.

There hasn’t been a NASCAR race at Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet since 2019. But after some interesting social media posts by NASCAR Cup Series driver Carson Hocevar, and no renewal yet for the Chicago Street Race, there seems to be a renewed interest in restoring the abandoned track.  WGN’s Ryan Burrow talks with WGN host and motor racing aficionado Dane Neal about the current status of the track, its uses, and potential for the future.

WGN Blackhawks reporter and host Charlie Roumeliotis joins WGN’s Ryan Burrow to talk about the Blackhawks expansion of Fifth Third Arena, which will include new rinks, a Blackhawks hall of fame, and a new tenant.  It’s all an effort to bring more amateur and professional hockey within a slapshot of the Blackhawks home ice.

• Rendering of the “Championship Arena”, future home of the Chicago Steel at Fifth Third Arena. Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)
• Rendering of ‘Rocky’s Bar’, a tribute to late Chairman Rocky Wirtz and fan-favorite at the United Center, that will anchor Fifth Third Arena’s food and beverage experience. (Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)
• Rendering of ‘Centennial Hall’, which will be home to the Blackhawks Hall of Fame. (Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)
• Rendering of one of the lunges, designed to keep hockey families in mind. They offer flexible workspaces, quiet areas with wi-fi, and comfy seating. (Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)
• Rendering of ‘The Patio’, which will be perched with a unique view of the Chicago skyline and direct line of site the 1901 campus, when completed. (Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)
• Exterior rendering of the Fifth Third Arena extension. (Courtesy: Chicago Blackhawks)