The Chicago Bears’ 2026 schedule features nine home games and eight away games:Â
Bears Home Opponents
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
Bears Away Opponents
- Detroit Lions
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Seattle Seahawks
As customary, six of the Bears’ 17 games will come against NFC North teams, one apiece at home and on the road.
The NFC North’s intraconference rotation features the NFC South. The Bears will play the Buccaneers and Saints at home, and Panthers and Falcons on the road.
The NFC North’s interconference rotation features the AFC East. The Bears will play the Jets and Patriots at home, and the Bills and Dolphins on the road.
The remaining games were determined by their divisional finish (first) last year. They’ll play other teams that finished first: Eagles (NFC East), Seahawks (NFC West), and Jaguars (AFC South). Because it’s the NFC’s turn for nine home games — each NFC team has nine home games in even-numbered seasons — the Bears game against the Jaguars is at home.
When Is the Bears Schedule Released?
The Bears regular-season schedule will be released in May. While the NFL hasn’t announced a date for the full schedule release, recent years suggest it’ll be on a Wednesday or Thursday in the second or third week of the month.
Here are past dates of the NFL schedule release:
- 2025: Wednesday, May 14
- 2024: Wednesday, May 15
- 2023: Thursday, May 11
- 2022: Thursday, May 12
- 2021: Wednesday, May 12
- 2020: Thursday, May 7
Bears Week 1 Opponent
The Bears’ Week 1 opponent hasn’t been determined yet. They opened the 2025 season with a home game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Will the Bears Play an International Game in 2026?
The Bears could play an international game this season. The Bears have played three international games, most recently defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2024.Â
The NFL has a record nine international games scheduled, including three games in London:
- Melbourne, Australia
- Munich, Germany
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Paris, France
- London, United Kingdom (three games)
- Madrid, Spain
- Mexico City, Mexico
You can bet on Bears odds for each game at the online sportsbook. If you’re in Illinois, check out updated Illinois sports betting promos for offers for both new and existing BetMGM customers.
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