For those who are already excited about next season for the Chicago Bears, the full list of their 2026 regular-season opponents has been finalized, and it’ll be yet another daunting and entertaining year.
After going from worst to first in the NFC North during the 2025 regular season, the Bears enter the playoffs with cautious expectations. Chicago is set to face off against the Green Bay Packers in a wild-card matchup at Soldier Field. While playoff success won’t be the sole indicator that will define this season, the 2026 schedule already provides insight into what kind of follow-up campaign the Bears will face.
Beyond the division, the Bears are scheduled to take on the NFC South and AFC East, along with the division winners from the NFC East, NFC West, and AFC South. That combination makes for a demanding slate that will test whether this year’s breakout season is sustainable.
Home Games
Soldier Field will host an intriguing mix of division rivals, playoff contenders, and rising teams in 2026. As always, the Bears will welcome the Detroit Lions, Packers, and Minnesota Vikings for their annual NFC North home games.
Beyond the North, Chicago’s home schedule includes the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots and Buccaneers come to town as part of the AFC East and NFC South rotations, respectively, while the Eagles and Jaguars arrive as same-place finishers due to Chicago’s first-place standing.
Away Games
The Bears’ away opponents in 2026 may be even more unforgiving. Chicago will travel to face the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, and, once again, their NFC North rivals.
Buffalo immediately jumps off the page as one of the toughest road games on the schedule. A trip to face the Bills in a hostile environment will be a major test for the Bears.
While the schedule in general is daunting, it’s also a sign of the progress the Bears have made since Ben Johnson arrived in Chicago as the head coach. Going from the bottom of the division to the top in just one season is no minor accomplishment, and the Bears will have to face fellow division winners as a result.
Of course, a lot can change between now and the kickoff of the 2026 season. There’ll be a lot more challenges the team will face during the offseason, in free agency, the 2026 NFL Draft, and building a culture.
For now, though, the message is clear: the Bears are no longer sneaking up on anyone. The 2026 opponents reflect a team that has arrived and one that will once again be tested every single step of the way.
Here’s the full list of the Bears’ 2026 home and away opponents.
Home:
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Detroit Lions
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New Orleans Saints
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away:
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Detroit Lions
- Seattle Seahawks
- Miami Dolphins
- Carolina Panthers
- Buffalo Bills
- Atlanta Falcons
Chicago Bears’ 2026 Regular Season Opponents Revealed