The Chicago Bears have announced their 2026 schedule, featuring 17 games. They will play two games against each NFC North rival and face teams from the NFC South and AFC East.
Key points
Chicago Bears released their 2026 schedule
17-game schedule includes NFC North rivals
Home games against New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away games against Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers
Bears finished first in the NFC North
Chicago BearsNew England PatriotsTampa Bay BuccaneersBuffalo Bills
Everything to know about the Chicago Bears' 2026 schedule
Ben Johnson's squad will play two games against each of their NFC North rivals, as well as facing the NFC South and AFC East next season, which includes home games against the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as away games against the Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers. With the Bears finishing first in the NFC North, they'll also face the same-place finisher from the NFC East, NFC West and AFC South.
We've compiled everything fans should know about the Bears' 2026 schedule, from the bye week, prime-time games, the season opener, tough stretches and more.
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET
Q&A
What teams will the Chicago Bears play in the 2026 season?
The Bears will play against their NFC North rivals, as well as teams from the NFC South and AFC East.
When does the Chicago Bears' 2026 season opener take place?
The specific date for the Bears' 2026 season opener has not been disclosed in the announcement.
How many prime-time games are scheduled for the Chicago Bears in 2026?
The number of prime-time games for the Bears in 2026 has not been specified in the schedule release.
What is the significance of the Bears finishing first in the NFC North for their 2026 schedule?
Finishing first in the NFC North means the Bears will face the same-place finishers from the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC South in 2026.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m. ET
Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Sept. 28, 8:05 p.m. ET
Week 4: vs. New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. ET
Week 5: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
Week 7: vs. New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 22, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 8: at Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Nov. 1, 8:05 p.m. ET
Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 8, 8:15 p.m. ET
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1 p.m. ET
Week 12: at Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 1 p.m. ET
Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET
Week 14: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET
Week 15: at Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 19, 8:20 p.m. ET
Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers, Friday, Dec. 25, 1 p.m. ET
Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 3, 4:25 p.m. ET
Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 10, Time TBA
1 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET
1 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 1: at Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 1 p.m. ET
2 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m. ET
3 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Sept. 28, 8:05 p.m. ET
4 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 4: vs. New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 4, 1 p.m. ET
5 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 5: at Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 11, 4:25 p.m. ET
6 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 18, 1 p.m. ET
7 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 7: vs. New England Patriots, Thursday, Oct. 22, 8:15 p.m. ET
8 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 8: at Seattle Seahawks, Monday, Nov. 1, 8:05 p.m. ET
9 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 8, 8:15 p.m. ET
10 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 10: BYE
11 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 11: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1 p.m. ET
12 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 12: at Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 1 p.m. ET
13 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 13: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m. ET
14 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 14: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 13, 1 p.m. ET
15 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 15: at Buffalo Bills, Saturday, Dec. 19, 8:20 p.m. ET
16 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers, Friday, Dec. 25, 1 p.m. ET
17 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, Jan. 3, 4:25 p.m. ET
18 / 18
Chicago Bears 2026 schedule
Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 10, Time TBA
Who is the Bears' Week 1 opponent?
The Bears will open the season on the road when they battle the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 13. It'll feature a matchup between two former No. 1 picks in Caleb Williams and Bryce Young, as well as two teams who won their respective divisions last season. Chicago last faced Carolina on Oct. 6, 2024, where the Bears emerged victorious, 36-10.
When is Chicago's bye week?
The Bears will have their bye week in Week 10, which is a lot later than last year when they had a Week 5 bye. Chicago's bye week comes after three consecutive prime-time showings, so it'll be a well-deserved break for Ben Johnson's squad. Looking ahead, the bye week comes before a home game against the New Orleans Saints (Week 11) and a Thanksgiving road meeting against the Detroit Lions (Week 12).
When are the Bears' prime-time and standalone games?
Chicago is pegged for seven standalone games, including five prime-time games in 2026. The Bears will play on Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football (twice), as well as both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Their first prime-time game comes at home in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. Then, Chicago will face a gauntlet of three consecutive prime-time games against the New England Patriots (Week 7), Seattle Seahawks (Week 8) and Tampa By a Buccaneers (Week 9) before the bye week.
The Bears will also face the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, the Buffalo Bills on a Saturday night standalone game in Week 15 and battle the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field on Christmas.
Any long road trips?
The Bears avoided an international game this year, which certainly benefits them as far as travel is concerned. And when looking at the schedule, Chicago only plays consecutive road games twice this season -- in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers and Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, as well as Week 14 against the Miami Dolphins and Week 15 against the Buffalo Bills.
The Bears won't have to travel far this season, with their longest road trip being a Week 8 prime-time game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
When are the NFC North matchups?
The Bears will face both the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers once within the first five weeks of the season, but they won't see the Detroit Lions until Thanksgiving. Chicago will play its final three regular-season games against their division rivals, where the NFC North could be up for grabs. Here's when those division matchups occur:
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 5: at Green Bay Packers
Week 12: at Detroit Lions
Week 16: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 18: at Minnesota Vikings
Any particularly tough stretches?
The Bears technically have the most difficult strength of schedule this season, based on last year's win-loss records. But their schedule also has some tough spots for them. That starts with three consecutive prime-time games against the New England Patriots (Week 7), Seattle Seahawks (Week 8) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 9) before a well-deserved bye week.
Chicago also will play against division rivals on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, where luckily they get to host the Packers in late December. The Bear also face a tough stretch at the end of the season, including games against the Buffalo Bills (Week 15) and three straight NFC North games to close out the year (Weeks 16-18).
Who is the Week 18 opponent?
The Bears will once again close the regular season against an NFC North rival, and for the first time in four years, Chicago will face the Minnesota Vikings. It's the first time since 2022 that the Bears and Vikings will close the season against each other. And this game could very well have playoff implications.
