Blab Sports
Fort Wayne Set for Purdue Exhibition, Bears Eye Indiana Move, Local Sports Scene Gears Up
Fort Wayne’s sports scene is about to light up. A trio of high‑profile events—Purdue’s early‑season exhibition against the local Mastodons, the Chicago Bears’ announced move to Hammond, and a surge of activity from the Komets and newly‑founded Fort Wayne FC—promises a season of excitement for fans and residents alike.
On Thursday, October 22, the Purdue University Boilermakers will take on the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, a 13,000‑seat arena that first opened in 1952 and was enlarged in 2002. The game is one of three pre‑season exhibition matches the Boilermakers will play before the 2026‑27 NCAA season begins. With ten returning players from last year’s roster and four key starters missing from the 2025 Elite 8 run, Purdue’s coaching staff sees the matchup as a chance to test line‑ups against a familiar, local opponent.
Purdue Fort Wayne, which became a separate institution from Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne on July 1, 2018, fields the Mastodons in NCAA Division I competition. The program competes in the Horizon League for all sports except men’s volleyball, which plays in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. The Mastodons have posted five consecutive winning seasons and have a long‑standing tradition of recruiting talent from the surrounding area.
The Bears’ board of directors voted on Thursday, June 4, 2026, to move forward with plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. The decision marks a significant step toward the franchise’s long‑term goal of leaving Soldier Field, where the team has played since 1971. Bears chairman George McCaskey confirmed the move in a statement released Friday, noting that a specific site in Hammond has not yet been selected.
The relocation is part of a broader stadium development strategy that includes a new facility across the Illinois border. If approved, the Bears’ move would bring an NFL franchise to Indiana for the first time since the Colts relocated to Indianapolis in 1984. The announcement follows years of discussions about stadium capacity, exposure to the elements, and the need for modern amenities.
Fort Wayne’s local sports community is also in motion. The Fort Wayne Komets, a professional hockey team, are preparing for the Western Conference Finals, while Fort Wayne FC, a newly formed club in USL League One, has unveiled its 2026 schedule, which includes 19 home games and an additional friendly. The city’s Allen County War Memorial Coliseum will continue to host a variety of events—from sports to concerts—and remains a central hub for the region.
The combination of Purdue’s exhibition game, the Bears’ planned relocation, and the activity of local teams underscores Fort Wayne’s growing role in regional sports. The Boilermakers’ October 22 game will draw fans to the Coliseum, while the Bears’ move will likely generate interest across the Midwest. Local teams such as the Komets and Fort Wayne FC will keep the city’s sports calendar full through the spring.
In the coming weeks, Purdue will focus on preseason preparation, the Bears will continue negotiations with Hammond officials, and Fort Wayne’s venues will host a mix of professional and collegiate events. The city’s sports community remains poised for a dynamic season that blends college competition, professional ambition, and local enthusiasm.
On Thursday, October 22, the Purdue University Boilermakers will take on the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons inside the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, a 13,000‑seat arena that first opened in 1952 and was enlarged in 2002. The game is one of three pre‑season exhibition matches the Boilermakers will play before the 2026‑27 NCAA season begins. With ten returning players from last year’s roster and four key starters missing from the 2025 Elite 8 run, Purdue’s coaching staff sees the matchup as a chance to test line‑ups against a familiar, local opponent.
Purdue Fort Wayne, which became a separate institution from Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne on July 1, 2018, fields the Mastodons in NCAA Division I competition. The program competes in the Horizon League for all sports except men’s volleyball, which plays in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. The Mastodons have posted five consecutive winning seasons and have a long‑standing tradition of recruiting talent from the surrounding area.
The Bears’ board of directors voted on Thursday, June 4, 2026, to move forward with plans for a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana. The decision marks a significant step toward the franchise’s long‑term goal of leaving Soldier Field, where the team has played since 1971. Bears chairman George McCaskey confirmed the move in a statement released Friday, noting that a specific site in Hammond has not yet been selected.
The relocation is part of a broader stadium development strategy that includes a new facility across the Illinois border. If approved, the Bears’ move would bring an NFL franchise to Indiana for the first time since the Colts relocated to Indianapolis in 1984. The announcement follows years of discussions about stadium capacity, exposure to the elements, and the need for modern amenities.
Fort Wayne’s local sports community is also in motion. The Fort Wayne Komets, a professional hockey team, are preparing for the Western Conference Finals, while Fort Wayne FC, a newly formed club in USL League One, has unveiled its 2026 schedule, which includes 19 home games and an additional friendly. The city’s Allen County War Memorial Coliseum will continue to host a variety of events—from sports to concerts—and remains a central hub for the region.
The combination of Purdue’s exhibition game, the Bears’ planned relocation, and the activity of local teams underscores Fort Wayne’s growing role in regional sports. The Boilermakers’ October 22 game will draw fans to the Coliseum, while the Bears’ move will likely generate interest across the Midwest. Local teams such as the Komets and Fort Wayne FC will keep the city’s sports calendar full through the spring.
In the coming weeks, Purdue will focus on preseason preparation, the Bears will continue negotiations with Hammond officials, and Fort Wayne’s venues will host a mix of professional and collegiate events. The city’s sports community remains poised for a dynamic season that blends college competition, professional ambition, and local enthusiasm.
