The Chicago Bears 2026 schedule features 17 regular-season games, six NFC North matchups, several primetime appearances and holiday games against two of their biggest division rivals.
Chicago opens the 2026 NFL regular season on Sunday, September 13, on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
The Bears then return to Chicago for their home opener against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.
Among the biggest games on the schedule are a Thanksgiving matchup against the Detroit Lions and a Christmas Day showdown against the Green Bay Packers.
Here is the complete Chicago Bears 2026 NFL schedule, including dates, kickoff times and TV information.
Chicago Bears 2026 Schedule
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | Bears at Panthers | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | Vikings at Bears | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 3 | Monday, Sept. 28 | Eagles at Bears | 8:15 PM | ESPN/ABC |
| 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | Jets at Bears | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | Bears at Packers | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | Bears at Falcons | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 7 | Thursday, Oct. 22 | Patriots at Bears | 8:15 PM | Prime Video |
| 8 | Monday, Nov. 2 | Bears at Seahawks | 8:15 PM | ESPN |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | Buccaneers at Bears | 8:20 PM | NBC |
| 10 | — | BYE WEEK | — | — |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | Saints at Bears | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 12 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | Bears at Lions | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | Jaguars at Bears | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | Bears at Dolphins | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 15 | Saturday, Dec. 19 | Bears at Bills | 8:20 PM | CBS |
| 16 | Friday, Dec. 25 | Packers at Bears | 1:00 PM | Netflix |
| 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | Lions at Bears | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 18 | TBD | Bears at Vikings | TBD | TBD |
All kickoff times listed in Eastern Time. The NFL can make scheduling changes during the season.
When Is the Chicago Bears’ First Game in 2026?
The Chicago Bears open the 2026 season Sunday, September 13, against the Carolina Panthers.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET, with FOX carrying the game.
Chicago begins the season on the road before returning home to face NFC North rival Minnesota in Week 2.
When Is the Bears’ First Home Game?
The Bears’ 2026 home opener is Sunday, September 20, against the Minnesota Vikings.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM ET on FOX.
The divisional matchup gives Chicago an important NFC North game immediately after its season opener against Carolina.
Bears vs Packers 2026 Games
The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers meet twice during the 2026 regular season.
Their first meeting comes in Week 5 on Sunday, October 11, when Chicago travels to Green Bay for a 4:25 PM ET kickoff.
The rematch comes on one of the biggest dates of the NFL season.
Green Bay visits Chicago on Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM ET and streaming coverage on Netflix.
That gives one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries a national holiday spotlight.
Bears Thanksgiving Game 2026
The Bears will also play on Thanksgiving Day in 2026.
Chicago travels to face the Detroit Lions on Thursday, November 26, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM ET on CBS.
Detroit traditionally hosts a Thanksgiving game each season, and the 2026 matchup adds another chapter to the long Bears-Lions NFC North rivalry.
Bears Christmas Day Game 2026
The Bears will host the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day.
Game: Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Date: Friday, December 25, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Streaming: Netflix
The Christmas matchup comes during an extremely important portion of Chicago’s schedule, with the Bears closing the regular season against three consecutive NFC North opponents.
Chicago Bears Primetime Games in 2026
Chicago has several nationally televised games on its 2026 schedule.
The Bears host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 3, followed later in the season by three consecutive primetime appearances.
Chicago hosts New England on Thursday Night Football in Week 7, travels to Seattle for Monday Night Football in Week 8 and then hosts Tampa Bay on Sunday Night Football in Week 9.
The Bears also have a Saturday night matchup at Buffalo in Week 15.
When Is the Bears’ Bye Week?
The Chicago Bears’ bye week is Week 10.
Chicago will have the weekend off after its Week 9 matchup against Tampa Bay before returning in Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints.
The timing gives the Bears their break near the middle of the regular season before a demanding final stretch.
Bears NFC North Schedule for 2026
The Bears play each of their NFC North rivals twice.
Chicago’s six divisional games are:
- Week 2: Vikings at Bears
- Week 5: Bears at Packers
- Week 12: Bears at Lions
- Week 16: Packers at Bears
- Week 17: Lions at Bears
- Week 18: Bears at Vikings
The schedule makes divisional performance especially important late in the year.
Chicago finishes the regular season with three consecutive NFC North games, facing Green Bay, Detroit and Minnesota.
Those games could have major implications for both the NFC North championship and NFC playoff race.
Who Do the Bears Play at Home in 2026?
Chicago’s home schedule includes games against the Vikings, Eagles, Jets, Patriots, Buccaneers, Saints, Jaguars, Packers and Lions.
That gives Bears fans several major matchups in Chicago, highlighted by divisional games against Minnesota, Green Bay and Detroit.
Who Do the Bears Play on the Road in 2026?
The Bears’ road schedule includes trips to Carolina, Green Bay, Atlanta, Seattle, Detroit, Miami, Buffalo and Minnesota.
The late-season road games could be particularly challenging, with Chicago traveling to Miami and Buffalo in consecutive weeks before returning home for the Christmas Day matchup against Green Bay.
When Do the Bears Play the Lions?
Chicago faces Detroit twice during the 2026 regular season.
The first meeting comes on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, when the Bears visit the Lions.
Detroit then travels to Chicago for the rematch on Sunday, January 3, 2027, in Week 17.
When Do the Bears Play the Vikings?
The Bears also face Minnesota twice.
The Vikings visit Chicago in Week 2 on September 20, while the Bears travel to Minnesota for their regular-season finale in Week 18.
The exact date, kickoff time and television network for the Week 18 game will be announced later by the NFL.
Chicago Bears Final Three Games Could Decide NFC North
One of the biggest features of the Bears’ 2026 schedule is how the season ends.
Chicago’s final three games are all against NFC North opponents.
The Bears host the Packers on Christmas Day, host the Lions in Week 17 and then travel to face the Vikings in Week 18.
If Chicago remains in playoff contention late in the season, those three games could determine whether the Bears win the NFC North, earn a Wild Card spot or miss the postseason.
Chicago Bears 2026 Schedule FAQ
What time do the Bears play in Week 1?
The Bears play the Carolina Panthers at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Who do the Bears play in Week 2?
Chicago hosts the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, September 20.
When is Bears vs Packers?
Chicago plays at Green Bay on October 11 and hosts the Packers on Christmas Day, December 25.
Do the Bears play on Thanksgiving in 2026?
Yes. Chicago plays at Detroit on Thursday, November 26 at 1:00 PM ET.
Do the Bears play on Christmas in 2026?
Yes. The Bears host the Packers on Friday, December 25 at 1:00 PM ET.
When is the Bears bye week?
Chicago’s bye comes in Week 10.
Who do the Bears play in Week 18?
Chicago finishes the regular season on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. The date, kickoff time and television network are TBD.
Chicago Bears 2026 Schedule Outlook
The Chicago Bears’ 2026 schedule offers plenty of major games throughout the season, but the closing stretch stands out.
After road games against Miami and Buffalo, Chicago finishes with three straight NFC North matchups against Green Bay, Detroit and Minnesota.
With a Thanksgiving game against the Lions, Christmas Day game against the Packers and several primetime appearances, the Bears will have plenty of opportunities to play in front of national audiences throughout the 2026 NFL season.