October 02, 2025

Chicago’s pro sports teams are in a historic era of rethinking their relationships with the city itself. Though the Fire (MLS) plans to build a new home field in the heart of the city, the Bears’ (NFL) potential relocation to Arlington Heights remains under discussion. Meanwhile, the Red Stars (NWSL) now plan to play at Evanston’s Northwestern Medicine Field, and the Sky (WNBA) is midway through the construction of a new training facility in Bedford Park—which will be largely financed by public money.

Against this civic backdrop, the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy is launching its third Harris Policy Innovation Challenge with this urgent question: What should be the City of Chicago’s policy toward supporting professional sports teams and facilities?

“The first two Policy Innovation Challenges set their sights on urban issues of major importance and this year’s is no different,” said Justin Marlowe, Research Professor and Center for Municipal Finance director, who will once again lead the competition. “The previous contests—to revitalize Chicago’s downtown and solve its unfunded pension crisis—brought forth novel and deeply considered approaches from every participant. I am excited to see the solutions our students bring to this year’s competition.”

Students participating in this year’s Challenge will be encouraged to develop proposals focused on measurable outcomes, such as:

  • Neighborhood development
  • Equitable access to facilities and events
  • Fair tax sharing
  • Return on investment for the public sector

“Public-private partnerships are a hotly debated topic at all levels of government,” says Prof. Christopher Berry. “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.”

This year’s topic is expected to draw participation from students working across a broad array of subjects, including municipal finance, economic development, land use, housing, transportation, and community development.

To support student teams, HPIC will again host seminar presentations to showcase a range of perspectives on these issues, with seminar presenters expected to include representatives from the worlds of business, politics, urban planning, and academia. A special event featuring sports team managers and owners is also on tap for February.

As in previous years, the 2025–2026 Harris Policy Innovation Challenge will culminate in a public presentation of finalist proposals. The initial judging to select the finalists will take place March 7. At the live final event on April 15, the finalist teams will present their ideas to a panel of expert judges, who will choose this year’s winner.

As Chicago steps back to consider the future of its professional sports venues and the neighborhoods that give them a home, this year’s Harris Policy Innovation Challenge offers University of Chicago students a timely, high-impact platform to help shape that future.