If you bleed navy and orange, circle your calendar and clear your Sundays. The Chicago Bears Football Schedule 2026 is officially out, and it is loaded with prime-time showdowns, bitter divisional rivalries, holiday classics, and enough big moments to keep Da Bears faithful buzzing all season long. Whether you are planning a tailgate, organizing a watch party, or just want every game date locked down at a glance, this complete guide covers everything you need to know.
Chicago Bears 2026 Preseason Schedule
Before the regular season kicks off, Chicago gets three preseason games to evaluate the roster and build chemistry.
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 16 | vs Cleveland Browns | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Aug. 22 | at Cincinnati Bengals | Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH |
| Aug. 30 | at Tennessee Titans | Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN |
Preseason games give fans a first look at new faces and returning stars. The home opener against Cleveland on August 16 at Soldier Field will be the first chance for the Chicago faithful to see the squad in live action.
Chicago Bears 2026 Regular Season Schedule
Here is the full regular season breakdown, including prime-time designations and holiday games:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sep. 13 | at Carolina Panthers | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC |
| Sep. 20 | vs Minnesota Vikings | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Sep. 28 — Monday Night Football | vs Philadelphia Eagles | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Oct. 4 | vs New York Jets | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Oct. 11 | at Green Bay Packers | Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI |
| Oct. 18 | at Atlanta Falcons | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
| Oct. 22 — Thursday Night Football | vs New England Patriots | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Nov. 2 — Monday Night Football | at Seattle Seahawks | Lumen Field, Seattle, WA |
| Nov. 8 — Sunday Night Football | vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Nov. 15 — BYE WEEK | — | — |
| Nov. 22 | vs New Orleans Saints | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Nov. 26 — Thanksgiving | at Detroit Lions | Ford Field, Detroit, MI |
| Dec. 6 | vs Jacksonville Jaguars | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Dec. 13 | at Miami Dolphins | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
| Dec. 19 — Saturday Night Football | at Buffalo Bills | Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY |
| Dec. 25 — Christmas Day | vs Green Bay Packers | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Jan. 3 | vs Detroit Lions | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
| Jan. 10 | at Minnesota Vikings | U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN |
Key Game Highlights You Cannot Miss
Monday Night Football vs. Philadelphia Eagles — September 28
This is the marquee early-season matchup. The Eagles come to Soldier Field under the national spotlight, and the noise inside that stadium on a Monday night is something special. It is the kind of game that sets the tone for the entire year and gives the Bears a chance to make a statement against a legitimate NFC contender right out of the gate.
Thursday Night Football vs. New England Patriots — October 22
Short weeks are brutal for road teams, which is exactly why this home game against New England is a golden opportunity. The Bears get to sleep in their own beds while the Patriots scramble to prepare. Home-field advantage matters on short rest, and Soldier Field should give Chicago an edge.
Monday Night Football at Seattle Seahawks — November 2
Lumen Field in Seattle is one of the loudest and most hostile environments in professional football. This cross-country Monday night road trip is arguably Chicago’s most difficult away game of the entire season. How the Bears handle this challenge will say a lot about their mental toughness.
Thanksgiving Day at Detroit Lions — November 26
There is something timeless about NFL football on Thanksgiving. Chicago travels to Ford Field to face the Lions in one of the holiday’s most-watched games. Detroit will be hungry to protect home turf, and Bears fans across the country will be tuned in with turkey and television in hand.
Christmas Day vs. Green Bay Packers — December 25
Save the best for last. The Bears hosting the Packers on Christmas Day at Soldier Field is the kind of matchup that writes itself into franchise lore. This game has every ingredient for a classic: a 100-year rivalry, a national audience, holiday atmosphere, and massive playoff implications. If you are printing out the Chicago Bears Football Schedule Printable PDF, put a giant star next to December 25.
Divisional Games: Where Championships Are Built
The NFC North remains one of the most competitive divisions in football, and the Bears play each divisional opponent twice.
vs. Green Bay Packers (Oct. 11 at Lambeau, Dec. 25 at Soldier Field) — The oldest rivalry in the NFL. No game on the schedule carries more history. Chicago needs to be competitive in both of these matchups to have any realistic shot at a division title.
vs. Minnesota Vikings (Sep. 20 at home, Jan. 10 at U.S. Bank Stadium) — The season bookends in a big way. Chicago opens divisional play hosting the Vikings in September and closes the road schedule in Minneapolis in January. Both games could carry playoff seeding consequences.
vs. Detroit Lions (Nov. 26 at Ford Field, Jan. 3 at Soldier Field) — Detroit has emerged as a legitimate contender in recent seasons. The Thanksgiving trip to Ford Field and the home finale against the Lions on January 3 are two of the highest-stakes games on the entire schedule.
Six divisional games. Six opportunities to gain ground, or lose it. These matchups will define Chicago’s season more than any other games on the calendar.
Prime-Time Appearances at a Glance
The NFL clearly has confidence in the Bears drawing national audiences. Chicago is scheduled for five prime-time games in 2026:
- Sep. 28 — Monday Night Football vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Oct. 22 — Thursday Night Football vs. New England Patriots
- Nov. 2 — Monday Night Football at Seattle Seahawks
- Nov. 8 — Sunday Night Football vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Dec. 19 — Saturday Night Football at Buffalo Bills
That is a significant national profile. Every one of these games is a chance for the Bears to build their brand, attract attention, and prove they belong among the league’s elite.
Home Games at Soldier Field
Soldier Field is one of the NFL’s most storied venues, and Bears fans will have nine regular-season opportunities to pack the stands in 2026. Home opponents include the Vikings, Eagles, Jets, Patriots, Buccaneers, Saints, Jaguars, Packers, and Lions. The slate is balanced with quality opponents, and games against Philadelphia, New England, Tampa Bay, and Green Bay figure to be the loudest and most electric home crowds of the season.
How to Get the Chicago Bears Football Schedule Printable PDF
Keeping a printed copy of the schedule is one of the simplest ways to stay on top of every game. Tape it to the refrigerator, pin it to your office wall, or tuck it into your sports room. It is old school, effective, and never requires a Wi-Fi connection.
For the most accurate and up-to-date Chicago Bears Football Schedule Printable PDF, go directly to the official team website: Printable PDF Schedule
From there, you can access print and download options straight from the Bears organization. This ensures you always have the correct dates, times, and any schedule updates that may occur throughout the season. Third-party versions can become outdated quickly, so the official page is always your best source.
See also: Washington Commanders Football Schedule 2026: Printable PDF
Bears Playoff Outlook for 2026
The schedule is challenging but winnable. Chicago’s early home slate gives the team a real chance to build momentum before the brutal holiday stretch arrives. The second half of the season — featuring road trips to Seattle, Miami, Buffalo, and Minneapolis alongside divisional games against Detroit and Green Bay — will separate genuine contenders from pretenders.
If the Bears can bank wins at home early, stay healthy through the bye week, and compete in their prime-time appearances, a playoff push is absolutely realistic. The Christmas Day game against Green Bay may end up being the most important regular-season game in Chicago in years.
Conclusion
The Chicago Bears Football Schedule 2026 is one of the most compelling in recent memory. Five prime-time games, a Thanksgiving showdown in Detroit, a Christmas Day classic against Green Bay at Soldier Field, and six critical NFC North battles give Bears fans a full season worth of reasons to stay glued to the action from September through January.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Chicago Bears bye week in 2026?
The Chicago Bears are off during Week 10, with their bye week falling on November 15, 2026.
How many prime-time games do the Bears play in 2026?
Chicago has five nationally televised prime-time games in 2026, including two Monday Night Football appearances, one Thursday Night Football, one Sunday Night Football, and one Saturday Night Football game.
When do the Bears play the Packers in 2026?
The Bears travel to Lambeau Field on October 11 for the first meeting, then host Green Bay at Soldier Field on Christmas Day, December 25, in what promises to be one of the most-watched games of the NFL season.
Do the Chicago Bears play on Thanksgiving Day in 2026?
Yes. Chicago heads to Detroit to face the Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026, in one of the holiday’s featured matchups.
Andrew has been a die-hard football fan for over 7 years, following the NFL, college football, and CFL. He started covering football schedules and game analysis in 2019 after noticing how hard it was to find accurate, clean schedule information in one place. He covers all 32 NFL teams, major college conferences, and the full CFL season from kickoff through the Grey Cup.