The Chicago Sky’s new practice facility in Bedford Park, Illinois, originally set to open by the end of 2025, will not be ready for the 2026 WNBA season. Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca confirmed that the building will only be partially completed by season’s end, prompting the team to continue using Wintrust Arena for practices. Pagliocca explained that it was important for the team to enter the facility when it is fully finished to ensure the proper environment for players, especially since the facility’s size doubled from the initial 40,000 square feet plan, escalating construction complexities and costs.

The project’s cost has increased dramatically from an estimated $38 million to around $60 million as of February 2026, with funding split between the Chicago Sky franchise and the city of Bedford Park, which is contributing $31.8 million. Despite these investments, delays have persisted, leading to significant inconvenience for players who practiced at temporary locations such as the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Flames Athletic Center and Loyola University Chicago, often at additional expense and logistical challenges.

The WNBA Players’ Union expressed strong disapproval of the delay, criticizing Chicago Sky ownership for failing to meet the league’s facility standards, which are essential for player health, safety, and consistent professionalism. WNBPA Executive Director Terri Carmichael Jackson highlighted that the union had advocated for minimum facility standards in the collective bargaining agreement precisely to avoid such issues. The long history of operational shortcomings and player grievances against the Sky was underscored in the statement, emphasizing a need for the franchise to better support its athletes.

Looking ahead, Pagliocca projects that the Bedford Park facility will be fully completed by November 2026, ready for the 2027 season. Meanwhile, the Sky’s new facility will not host any community events during the upcoming WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, with these ancillary events instead planned for the Obama Presidential Center. The delay has sparked frustration among players, including seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins, who noted the difficulty of competing at a high level without the promised resources and infrastructure. Starting in 2028, teams will face penalties if they fail to maintain required practice facility standards per the new WNBA CBA.