Lake County Gazette

This summer, football enthusiasts can step into Bears territory and immerse themselves in the thrilling atmosphere of the 2023 Enjoy Illinois Chicago Bears Training Camp.

To be held from July 26 to Aug. 14 at Halas Hall, this event offers fans a chance to witness practice sessions and get an up-close view of their beloved Bears players.

“Step into Bears territory this summer at the 2023 Enjoy Illinois Chicago Bears Training Camp!” the Bears organization said on its website, quoted in a Facebook post this week by The Lake Forest Podcast. “Get an up-close view of practice and your favorite Bears players! You will also have a chance to enjoy games, activities, virtual reality, photo & autograph opportunities throughout the Camp, and appearances by Staley Da Bear, Monster Squad, and the Chicago Drumline brought to you by Shell.”

To attend the nine public training camp practices, fans must obtain free tickets, which will be issued on a first come, first served basis. The ticket distribution process will begin at 10 a.m. (CT) on Thursday, July 6. To ensure an optimal fan experience, attendance will be limited.

Fans can secure up to four tickets per event date, depending on availability. All tickets will be provided in a digital format for easy access. Parking facilities will not be available at Halas Hall, Conway Park or nearby businesses. But fans can find free parking at Hawthorn Mall, located off Town Road in Vernon Hills.

Regular shuttle bus services will be in operation to transport fans from the mall to the training camp. Attendees must present a valid mobile training camp ticket before boarding the shuttle buses.

In 2020, the Bears moved their training camp back to Halas Hall. The team held their entire training camp at Halas Hall, giving fans with the opportunity to see practices for free, although only a small number of tickets were made available. The move ended an 18-year run at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais. Before that, the team held their camps at the University of Wisconsin-Plattville from 1984 until 2001.

The decision to move camp to Halas Hall followed with a league-wide trend, with teams deciding to hold training camp at their home facilities. Halas Hall has undergone extensive expansion that includes new meeting rooms for football operations, locker rooms, weight room, a player lounge and additional fields.

The renovation, which also expanded the organization's headquarters, was begun in 2013. The project included expanding the weight room and training room from 7,000 to 8,500 square feet, upgrading the locker room with additional and reconfigured lockers and new carpeting, and creating new meeting rooms with enhanced technology. A new event center with a 4,000-square-foot broadcast studio and conference center was also added. The renovation aimed to provide the team with additional space and new technology while offering unique experiences for fans and growing the Bears' business.