Now entering its third year, the Harris Policy Innovation Challenge invites students across the University of Chicago to apply their policy expertise, analytical skills, and creativity to pressing public policy issues facing the City of Chicago. Launched by the Harris School of Public Policy in 2023-2024, the Challenge offers a rigorous, months-long experience that includes seminars, stakeholder engagement, mentorship, and team-based policy development. At the end of the process, a panel of expert judges selects a winning proposal, and the team is awarded a $10,000 prize.

The Challenge: A Win-Win Partnership for Professional Sports in Chicago

The 2025–2026 Challenge will focus on the following question:
"What should be the City of Chicago’s policy toward supporting professional sports teams and facilities?"

Professional sports are deeply woven into the civic and economic fabric of Chicago. Teams and venues generate tax revenue, catalyze development, create jobs, and foster civic identity. But these benefits come with trade-offs. Public involvement in stadiums and arenas has long sparked debate over equity, displacement, fiscal impact, and long-term value.

The 2025–2026 Challenge will culminate in a public presentation of finalist proposals. As the City of Chicago reconsiders the future of its stadiums, arenas, and surrounding neighborhoods, this year’s Challenge offers students a timely, high-impact platform to help shape that future.

Public-private partnerships are a hotly debated topic at all levels of government. When you add to those conversations the intense local connections forged by sports fandom, the issue takes on an even greater urgency for cities. It’s clear that the current models for sports stadiums need major rethinking, which is why this year’s HPIC topic couldn’t come at a better time.

Professor Christopher Berry

    harris policy innovation challenge