Chicago Cubs Announce Plans to Relocate to Wisconsin After Bears Bolt to Indiana

KENOSHA, WI - Just days after the Chicago Bears announced they’re packing up and heading across the state line to Hammond, Indiana, the Chicago Cubs have dropped the mother of all announcements: they’re formally moving ahead with a massive new domed stadium and mixed-use development in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

That’s right. The same franchise that’s called Wrigley Field home since 1916 just voted “yes” on leaving the Friendly Confines behind for a shiny new Cubs Dome up north.

Look at this thing. Straight out of a video game, complete with the massive “CUBS DOME” lettering, the classic red-white-and-blue logo glowing like a beacon, and what looks like a sea of Wrigleyville faithful already packed inside. The rendering (shared far and wide after the announcement) shows a futuristic glass palace with Lake Michigan vibes and enough LED lighting to make Vegas jealous. Exact site still TBD, but they’re targeting a spot near the water to anchor a full-blown entertainment district.

Team chairman Tom Ricketts and president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer confirmed the ownership group has green-lit the project. In a joint statement, Cubs leadership said:

“It will bring Cubs baseball and new economic opportunities to a community ready to grow alongside our organization.”

No more vague “we’re exploring options” smoke. This is the first definitive statement after a frantic few days that reportedly included bids from downtown Chicago, suburban Illinois spots, and even North Japan, as far as we know. (We’re not making that last part up. The rumor mill was wild.)

The decision also kills any lingering talk that the Wisconsin flirtation was just leverage in Illinois negotiations. Nah. This is real.

And if you’re a Cubs fan wondering whether the Wisconsin crowd will actually show up and care… well, one of your own players already weighed in.

Pete Crow-Armstrong dropped this absolute gem: “[Wisconsin Cubs fans] give two shits. They aren’t just baseball fans who give one shit like regular Chicago Cubs fans. They are really paying attention.”

Oof. PCA wasn’t mincing words. The kid basically said the Wisconsin faithful are locked in — not the casual “I go to Wrigley for the vibes and a $18 beer” crowd. They’re paying attention. Bold take. Accurate? We’ll find out when the turnstiles start spinning in Kenosha.

Let’s be real for a second: Chicago sports fans just watched both of their biggest teams wave goodbye to Illinois in the same week. Bears to Hammond. Cubs to Kenosha. Two proud Chicago franchises suddenly becoming “regional” teams with new zip codes in neighboring states.

Is this the end of an era? The ultimate “thanks for the memories, see you at the toll booth” moment? Or is it actually smart business — fresh stadiums, new revenue streams, and crowds that (according to PCA) might actually give a damn?

Either way, the memes are already cooking. Harry Caray hot tub behind home plate? Hot Tub Time Machine references? Kenosha Kickers jokes? We’re here for all of it.

Cubs fans — real ones, the ones who’ve frozen through April snow games at Wrigley and still showed up — what’s your move? You trading in your rooftop seats for a Lake Michigan tailgate? Or is this the ultimate betrayal?

Bears fans already dealing with the Hammond reality… how you holding up?

Drop your hottest (or most unhinged) takes in the comments below. Tag your group chat. Share this with every Cubs fan you know who still has “Wrigleyville” in their bio. The more eyes on this, the better — because if Chicago sports are really doing the state-line shuffle, we’re all along for the ride.

Follow @MLBONFAX on X for the latest in this absolute circus. We’ll keep you posted on stadium groundbreaking dates, ticket prices, and whether that North Japan backup plan ever actually had legs.