CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago Bears season ticket prices are going up by 6 percent, but for good reason: more regular season home games.
In an email sent Monday to current season ticket holders, the Chicago Bears announced an overall 6 percent increase for the 2022 season, as a result of adding an additional regular season game in place of a preseason game.
"For the first time, the Bears are scheduled to host nine (9) regular season games at Soldier Field. Your ten-game season ticket package will now consist of one preseason game and nine regular season games," the email read.
In 2021, season ticket packages included seats for eight regular season games and two preseason games. But now for the 2022 season, season ticket packages will include seats for nine regular season games and only one preseason game.
The Chicago Bears said the 6 percent increase is due solely to variable pricing, a practice the team has used since 2016, which makes more attractive games more expensive.
This marks the first time the organization will host nine regular-season games at Soldier Field. In addition to the Chicago Bears' three NFC North home games against the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings, the team will host the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and San Francisco 49ers.
In 2021, the NFL the decision to expand its regular season to 17 games per team. The move requires teams to host eight regular season games one year and nine the next. The teams that host nine games only play one preseason game at home.
The deadline to commit to renewing season tickets is Friday, March 18.
