LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears have announced that they will not raise ticket prices for the 2009 season. It’s the first time that all ticket categories will remain the same price from one season to the next since the new Soldier Field opened in 2003.

Bears fans will pay the same ticket prices in 2009 that they did in 2008 at Soldier Field.

“Going back to when we built the new stadium, we knew we had close to if not the smallest stadium in the league, so the reality was that we’re probably going to have to raise ticket prices every year,” said Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips.

“This year we decided to make an exception, principally because of the economy. It’s an unprecedented time. Every day you pick up the newspaper and you see major corporations laying off employees and having budget cuts.

“We just felt that given the climate that we’re in, it was the right thing to do for our fans.”

Non-club ticket prices will continue to range from $68 to $108 and account for approximately 86 percent of the seating at Soldier Field. Club seats remain priced from $245 to $350.

The Bears’ decision not to increase ticket prices was made even though the City of Chicago raised its entertainment tax from eight to nine percent.

Also for the first time, fans will have the option to make their season-ticket payment online with a Mastercard, Visa or Discover credit card. Payments made by check will continue to be accepted as well.

Season-ticket holders can log into their account and utilize the online payment option at www.ChicagoBears.com. They can also make changes to their season-ticket account through Ticketmaster’s account manager system.

Invoices to season-ticket holders are scheduled to be mailed the week of Feb. 16, and the payment deadline is Thursday, April 2. The Bears will mail letters to all season-ticket holders Friday announcing that ticket prices will not go up and outlining how the new account manager system will work.

The Bears’ 2009 home schedule includes games against Super Bowl XLIII participants Pittsburgh and Arizona as well as versus Cleveland, Philadelphia, St. Louis and NFC North rivals Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota.