The 2026 Chicago Bears schedule begins in the preseason on August 15 with a home game against the Cleveland Browns. From there the full 2026 Chicago Bears schedule includes three exhibition games, a 17-game regular season, one bye week, multiple primetime windows, a Thanksgiving road contest, and a Christmas Day home game that will shape the year.
Here is every date, time, network, and venue for the upcoming season.
2026 Chicago Bears Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason | ||||
| Saturday | Cleveland BrownsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ET ETNFLN/Local | ||
| Preseason | ||||
| Saturday | at Cincinnati BengalsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 7:00pm ET ETLocal | ||
| Preseason | ||||
| Saturday | at Tennessee TitansNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 6:00pm ET ETNFLN/Local | ||
| Sunday | at Carolina PanthersBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 1:00pm ET ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | Minnesota VikingsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ET ETFOX | ||
| Monday | Philadelphia EaglesSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 8:15pm ET ETESPN/ABC | ||
| Sunday | New York JetsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ET ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 4:25pm ET ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Atlanta FalconsMercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA | 1:00pm ET ETFOX | ||
| Thursday | New England PatriotsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 8:15pm ET ETPrime Video | ||
| Monday | at Seattle SeahawksLumen Field, Seattle, WA | 8:15pm ET ETESPN | ||
| Sunday | Tampa Bay BuccaneersSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 8:20pm ET ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Bye Week | ||||
| Sunday | OFF | |||
| Sunday | New Orleans SaintsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ET ETFOX | ||
| Thursday | at Detroit LionsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ET ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | Jacksonville JaguarsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ET ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Miami DolphinsHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | 1:00pm ET ETCBS | ||
| Saturday | at Buffalo BillsHighmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY | 8:20pm ET ETCBS | ||
| Friday | Green Bay PackersSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ET ETNetflix | ||
| Sunday | Detroit LionsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 4:25pm ET ETFOX | ||
| TBA or Sat Jan 9 | ||||
| Sunday | at Minnesota VikingsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
Preseason Results
Chicago finished the preseason 2-1. The Bears opened with a 34-10 win over Cleveland at home, dropped a 27-9 decision at Cincinnati, and closed with a 24-15 victory at Tennessee. Those results gave the coaching staff a solid evaluation period before the regular season began.
How the Regular Season Unfolds
The Bears open on the road at Carolina, then return home to face Minnesota. A Monday night home game against Philadelphia follows, leading into a home contest against the Jets. Road games at Green Bay and Atlanta come next, then a Thursday night home date with New England. A Monday night trip to Seattle sits in early November, followed by a Sunday night home contest against Tampa Bay and the November 15 bye.
After the break Chicago hosts New Orleans, travels to Detroit on Thanksgiving, and welcomes Jacksonville. Road games at Miami and Buffalo follow, then a Christmas Day home contest against Green Bay. The season closes with a home game against Detroit and a road finale at Minnesota (still TBA and possibly flexed to Saturday). The combination of early home opportunities, two meetings with Green Bay, Minnesota, and Detroit, a useful midseason bye, and a late stretch filled with primetime and holiday games gives the schedule a distinct rhythm.
Games That Stand Out
A few dates already feel bigger than the rest. The Monday night home game against Philadelphia and the Thursday night contest against New England are early calendar highlights. The two meetings with Green Bay, the two against Minnesota, and the two against Detroit will go a long way toward deciding the NFC North. The Monday night trip to Seattle, the Sunday night home date with Tampa Bay, the Thanksgiving road game at Detroit, the Saturday night contest at Buffalo, and the Christmas Day home game against Green Bay also land in high-visibility windows.
How to Watch Bears Games
Most Sunday afternoon games are listed on FOX or CBS. Primetime slots include ESPN/ABC, NBC/Peacock, Prime Video, and Netflix for the Christmas Day game. The final contest remains TBA. Preseason used NFL Network and local coverage. Check local listings closer to each week for any flexible scheduling updates.
What This Schedule Means for Chicago
The 2026 Chicago Bears schedule offers an early home stretch, multiple primetime opportunities, and a demanding late stretch filled with division and holiday games. The mid-November bye arrives at a useful point, and the combination of NFC North rivalries and tougher interconference tests will keep every week meaningful. How the Bears handle the North slate and the tougher national-window games will largely determine their postseason path.
FAQ
When does the 2026 Chicago Bears schedule start?
Preseason begins August 15 at home against Cleveland. The regular season opens September 13 at Carolina.
When is the Bears’ bye week?
Chicago is off on November 15.
How many home games do the Bears have?
Nine regular-season Bears home games at Soldier Field, plus one preseason home contest.
Are there any special or TBA games on the schedule?
Yes. Multiple primetime windows are locked in, including Christmas Day on Netflix, and the final game at Minnesota remains TBA and could still be flexed to Saturday.
