The chicago bears schedule is moving into its next stage today, with Chicago set to host the Cleveland Browns in its 2026 preseason opener at Soldier Field. The Bears will play three preseason games before opening the regular season September 13 against the Carolina Panthers.
Chicago’s 2026 slate features 17 regular-season games, including nine home games and eight road contests. The schedule also includes nationally televised matchups against the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers.
The Bears will have several unusual calendar dates this season. Chicago plays Detroit on Thanksgiving, Buffalo on a Saturday night and Green Bay on Christmas Day. The regular season then continues into January, with the Bears scheduled to finish against the Minnesota Vikings.
For fans tracking every Chicago game, most dates and kickoff times are already confirmed. Week 18 remains the major exception because the NFL has not yet announced its date, time or broadcast window.
Chicago Bears 2026 Preseason Schedule
The preseason begins Saturday, August 15, when Cleveland visits Soldier Field. The game is scheduled for noon Central Time.
Chicago then travels to Cincinnati on August 22 before finishing the preseason at Tennessee on August 29.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Location | Kickoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason 1 | Aug. 15 | Cleveland Browns | Soldier Field | Noon CT |
| Preseason 2 | Aug. 22 | Cincinnati Bengals | Paycor Stadium | 6 p.m. CT |
| Preseason 3 | Aug. 29 | Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium | 5 p.m. CT |
The first game is particularly important for players competing for roster positions. Head coach Ben Johnson has announced that Caleb Williams and other key starters will sit out the opener, giving backup players and roster hopefuls additional opportunities.
Tyson Bagent is scheduled to start at quarterback for Chicago against Cleveland. The game will therefore offer an early look at players who could have important roles behind the established starters.
The preseason also gives Chicago another chance to evaluate its offensive line. The left tackle competition remains one of the roster battles receiving attention during training camp.
Bears Open Preseason Against Cleveland
The immediate focus is Cleveland.
The Browns arrive at Soldier Field for the first preseason game of the year, while Chicago prepares to evaluate players in an actual game setting after weeks of training camp work.
The matchup begins at noon Central Time. Chicago’s local television coverage is available through FOX 32, while the NFL Network also carries the game nationally.
The Bears will not use the opener as a full-strength preview of their regular-season lineup. Instead, the coaching staff will use the contest to evaluate depth and competition throughout the roster.
Cleveland is taking a different approach at quarterback. Deshaun Watson is scheduled to start for the Browns, while Shedeur Sanders is expected to take over later in the game.
That contrast gives the preseason opener an interesting quarterback storyline, even though Chicago is keeping Williams out of the contest.
When Does the 2026 Regular Season Start?
Chicago begins its regular season Sunday, September 13, against Carolina.
The Bears will travel to Bank of America Stadium for a noon Central Time kickoff. FOX will broadcast the game.
The Panthers matchup gives Chicago an immediate road test before the Bears return home for three consecutive games.
Chicago’s first home regular-season game comes September 20 against Minnesota. Philadelphia then visits Soldier Field on September 28 for Monday Night Football, followed by the New York Jets on October 4.
The opening month therefore includes one road game and three straight home contests.
Week-by-Week 2026 Schedule
Week 1 — Bears at Panthers
Chicago opens the regular season at Carolina on Sunday, September 13.
The game starts at noon Central Time and will air on FOX. The Panthers will host the Bears at Bank of America Stadium.
It is Chicago’s only road game during the opening two weeks. The Bears then return to Soldier Field for three straight home games.
Week 2 — Vikings at Bears
Minnesota visits Chicago on Sunday, September 20.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon Central Time, with FOX carrying the game.
The contest begins the Bears’ first three-game home stretch. It is also the first NFC North game of the regular season for Chicago.
Week 3 — Eagles at Bears
Philadelphia visits Soldier Field on Monday, September 28.
The game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Central Time and will air on ESPN and ABC.
This is Chicago’s first Monday Night Football appearance of the season. The national television window makes it one of the most prominent early games on the schedule.
Chicago gets the benefit of playing the Eagles at home after opening the season in Carolina.
Week 4 — Jets at Bears
The New York Jets come to Soldier Field on Sunday, October 4.
Kickoff is set for noon Central Time on FOX.
The game completes Chicago’s three-game home run. The Bears then begin consecutive road games against Green Bay and Atlanta.
Week 5 — Bears at Packers
Chicago travels to Lambeau Field on Sunday, October 11.
The NFC North rivals meet at 3:25 p.m. Central Time, with FOX carrying the game.
The first Packers matchup of the season is one of the most anticipated dates on the schedule. Chicago will face Green Bay again later in the year, but that second meeting will take place at Soldier Field.
Week 6 — Bears at Falcons
The Bears remain on the road for Week 6.
Chicago visits the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, October 18. The game begins at noon Central Time and will be televised by FOX.
This is the second consecutive road game for Chicago.
The Bears then return home for a Thursday night matchup against New England, creating a quick turnaround after the Atlanta game.
Week 7 — Patriots at Bears
New England visits Soldier Field on Thursday, October 22.
The game starts at 7:15 p.m. Central Time and streams on Prime Video.
The Thursday night matchup is the beginning of an important stretch in the schedule. Chicago follows the New England game with another nationally televised contest at Seattle.
Week 8 — Bears at Seahawks
Chicago heads to Seattle for Monday Night Football on November 2.
The game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Central Time and will air on ESPN.
The trip to Lumen Field gives the Bears another road game in primetime.
It also creates a demanding portion of the schedule. Chicago plays New England on Thursday before traveling west for Monday night.
Week 9 — Buccaneers at Bears
Tampa Bay visits Soldier Field on Sunday, November 8.
The game is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast by NBC.
This is Chicago’s third consecutive nationally televised game. The Bears play New England on Thursday night, Seattle on Monday night and Tampa Bay on Sunday night.
The Buccaneers matchup is also Chicago’s final game before its bye week.
Read More – Chicago Bears Training Camp: Latest Camp Battles, Injury Updates and Standout Performances in 2026
Week 10 — Bye
Chicago has its bye during Week 10.
The break comes after nine regular-season games and gives the Bears an opportunity to recover before the second half of the season.
The Bears return November 22 against New Orleans.
Week 11 — Saints at Bears
New Orleans visits Soldier Field on Sunday, November 22.
Kickoff is scheduled for noon Central Time on FOX.
The game marks Chicago’s return following its bye.
It also begins another important sequence because the Bears travel to Detroit four days later for Thanksgiving.
Week 12 — Bears at Lions
Chicago visits Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.
The NFC North matchup takes place Thursday, November 26, at noon Central Time. CBS will broadcast the game.
The Thanksgiving contest is one of the most recognizable dates on the Bears’ schedule.
Chicago and Detroit will meet in a holiday game at Ford Field, giving the Bears another nationally visible divisional matchup.
The short week also means Chicago will have less recovery time than it would before a normal Sunday game.
Week 13 — Jaguars at Bears
The Bears return home December 6 to face Jacksonville.
The Jaguars visit Soldier Field for a noon Central Time kickoff on FOX.
This game gives Chicago a home contest after the Thanksgiving trip to Detroit.
It also starts a three-game stretch that includes Jacksonville, Miami and Buffalo.
Week 14 — Bears at Dolphins
Chicago travels to Miami on Sunday, December 13.
The game at Hard Rock Stadium starts at noon Central Time and airs on CBS.
The Dolphins matchup is one of the Bears’ final road games before the end of the regular season.
Chicago then travels again the following week, creating back-to-back road games against Miami and Buffalo.
Week 15 — Bears at Bills
The Bears visit Buffalo on Saturday, December 19.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. Central Time, with CBS carrying the game.
The Saturday night matchup adds another unusual date to Chicago’s schedule.
The Bills game is also the second consecutive road contest for Chicago. After Buffalo, the Bears return home for one of the biggest games of the entire season.
Week 16 — Packers at Bears
Green Bay visits Chicago on Christmas Day.
The Packers-Bears matchup takes place Friday, December 25, at noon Central Time.
Netflix will carry the game.
The Christmas meeting is the second matchup between the NFC North rivals in 2026. The first takes place in Green Bay in October.
This time, the rivalry moves to Soldier Field for a holiday game.
The Christmas Day contest is one of the most prominent dates on Chicago’s schedule and will give the Bears a nationally distributed game during one of the NFL’s biggest holiday windows.
Week 17 — Lions at Bears
Detroit returns to Chicago on Sunday, January 3.
The Bears and Lions will meet at Soldier Field at 3:25 p.m. Central Time. FOX will carry the game.
The matchup gives Chicago its second meeting with Detroit of the season.
It also marks the final scheduled home game before the Bears close the regular season in Minnesota.
Week 18 — Bears at Vikings
Chicago’s regular season ends against Minnesota.
The Bears travel to U.S. Bank Stadium for the Week 18 matchup, but the NFL has not yet announced the date, kickoff time or broadcast network.
The uncertainty is normal for Week 18. The NFL waits until later in the season to determine the final scheduling windows because playoff positioning can affect the importance of individual games.
For now, Chicago’s Week 18 opponent and location are confirmed. The exact game time is not.
Chicago’s Primetime Games in 2026
The Bears have several nationally televised games during the 2026 season.
Their confirmed primetime schedule includes:
- Philadelphia Eagles — Monday Night Football
- New England Patriots — Thursday Night Football
- Seattle Seahawks — Monday Night Football
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday Night Football
- Green Bay Packers — Christmas Day on Netflix
That gives Chicago five scheduled primetime games.
The schedule also places the Bears in two additional major standalone windows.
Chicago faces Detroit on Thanksgiving Day and Buffalo on Saturday night in December.
Those games provide national exposure even though they do not fall into the standard Sunday night, Monday night or Thursday night categories.
A Busy Middle of the Season
The middle portion of the schedule deserves particular attention.
Chicago plays Atlanta on October 18 before hosting New England four days later. The Bears then travel to Seattle for Monday Night Football before returning home to face Tampa Bay.
That three-game stretch runs from October 22 through November 8 and includes three different primetime windows.
The Bears then receive their bye in Week 10.
The timing gives Chicago a chance to reset after one of the most demanding stretches on the schedule.
A Challenging Finish
The final portion of the schedule contains several notable games.
Chicago visits Detroit on Thanksgiving before returning home to face Jacksonville. The Bears then travel to Miami and Buffalo on consecutive weeks.
After those road games, Green Bay comes to Soldier Field on Christmas Day.
Detroit follows on January 3, before Chicago closes the season at Minnesota.
The final three games are all against NFC North opponents. That means the Bears’ divisional schedule becomes particularly important as the regular season reaches its conclusion.
What Fans Should Know About Schedule Changes
Although most dates and times are confirmed, the NFL can change certain games through its flexible scheduling procedures.
The Bears’ official schedule specifically notes that dates and times inside designated flex windows can change.
Week 18 is different because the NFL has not yet assigned its final scheduling window. The Bears-Vikings game will be set after the Week 17 schedule is completed.
Fans should therefore treat the listed Week 18 matchup as confirmed while recognizing that the exact kickoff details remain unavailable.
The rest of the published schedule provides a clear calendar for planning around Chicago’s games.
The Most Important Dates on the Bears Calendar
Several dates stand out for fans planning their 2026 football season:
- August 15: Preseason opener against Cleveland
- September 13: Regular-season opener at Carolina
- September 28: Monday Night Football against Philadelphia
- October 11: First Packers meeting at Lambeau Field
- October 22: Thursday Night Football against New England
- November 2: Monday Night Football at Seattle
- November 8: Sunday Night Football against Tampa Bay
- November 26: Thanksgiving game at Detroit
- December 19: Saturday night game at Buffalo
- December 25: Christmas Day matchup against Green Bay
- January 3: Home game against Detroit
- Week 18: Road finale at Minnesota, date and time TBD
Chicago Bears Schedule and the Road to Week 1
The next confirmed step is today’s preseason opener against Cleveland at Soldier Field.
Chicago will then travel to Cincinnati and Tennessee before turning its attention to the regular-season opener in Carolina.
Once September arrives, the Bears will face a schedule filled with NFC North games, nationally televised contests and several unusual calendar spots.
The schedule also gives Chicago multiple home opportunities during the first month before a demanding middle stretch featuring three consecutive primetime games.
Late in the season, the Thanksgiving matchup, Christmas Day rivalry game and final NFC North contests will draw additional attention.
With Week 18 still awaiting its final time and broadcast details, the schedule is not completely locked from a timing standpoint. The majority of the 2026 calendar, however, is already established.
Which Bears game are you most excited to watch in 2026? Share your pick and stay tuned for the latest schedule updates throughout the season.