The Chicago Bears already know who is coming to Soldier Field and where they will be flying in 2026, but the NFL has not locked in the calendar just yet. Matchups are set, fans can sketch out some early travel plans, and still a few games could slide around while the league hammers out broadcast details and an expanded batch of international showcases. For now, Chicago has opponents in hand, with the exact when and where still to be announced.
Opponents Are Set — Home And Road Matchups
The league’s scheduling formula has already sorted the Bears’ 2026 home and road slate. Chicago is set to host the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots and New York Jets, plus the New Orleans Saints. On the flip side, the road trips will send the Bears to Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo, Miami, Atlanta, Carolina and Seattle. That home-road breakdown was published on the team’s official site, ChicagoBears.com, with dates and kickoff times to be plugged in once the full schedule drops.
Why The Full Calendar Is Still Pending
The NFL has floated a target in the second week of May for the schedule release but has been careful to say that nothing is final until the full grid is approved. As reported by CBS Sports, Mike North, the league’s vice president of broadcast planning, said, “I don’t think it’s coming out in June, but that second week in May has been our target,” while also noting that negotiations over a special five-game broadcast package could push things back slightly. The league wants its television windows, including any new streaming or international offerings, squared away before it locks in dates and prime-time slots.
International Games Could Reshuffle A Road Week
The NFL has already announced that 2026 will feature a record run of international games, including three in London and single contests planned for Madrid, Paris, Munich, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro and Melbourne, among other sites, according to the league’s international pages. NFL.com also notes that the Bears hold international marketing rights in Spain through the Global Markets Program. The league has confirmed that the Atlanta Falcons will play in Madrid in 2026, and because the Bears are scheduled for a road date at Atlanta, they are one of the plausible candidates for that matchup. The opponent and date will not be finalized until the complete schedule is released, and NFL.com reports that those details will arrive with the full slate.
Buffalo's New Stadium Adds Another Variable
One of Chicago’s road trips is to Buffalo, where the Bills are preparing to open their new Highmark Stadium for the 2026 season, a wrinkle that can influence preferred kickoff windows and national TV interest. The Bills’ stadium site features renderings, ticket priority information and construction updates tied to a fall 2026 inaugural season, details schedulers will weigh when they assign timing and television placement. If the Bears visit lines up with a stadium opener or a high-profile national broadcast, the league could adjust dates and times to accommodate both its network partners and Buffalo’s event plans. BuffaloBills.com
What Fans Should Watch Next
For now, the next big moment on the calendar is the league’s official 2026 schedule release, historically in mid-May and still subject to minor shifts while broadcast and international packaging is finalized. Fans should keep an eye on the team’s site and other official channels; the Bears will post their confirmed dates there, and the NFL will unveil the full league slate once it is ready. In the meantime, supporters can start circling matchups, marking possible prime-time showdowns and keeping an extra tab open for any week that might suddenly require a passport.
