If you’re scrambling to figure out what time is chicago bears game, take a breath. You haven't missed it. But you do need to clear your schedule for Sunday evening. After that nail-biter of a win against the Packers in the Wild Card round—seriously, 31-27 felt way closer than it should have—the Bears are moving deeper into the postseason. It’s been a wild ride under Ben Johnson, hasn't it? From a shaky 0-2 start back in September to winning the NFC North, this team is finally playing like the monsters we knew they could be.
The Official Kickoff: What Time Is Chicago Bears Game?
The Chicago Bears are set to host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field this Sunday, January 18, 2026.
The official kickoff time is 5:30 p.m. CT.
If you happen to be watching from the East Coast, that’s 6:30 p.m. ET. For those out west cheering for the Rams (or just tracking the bracket), it’s a 3:30 p.m. PT start.
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Honestly, the 5:30 p.m. slot is basically the "Golden Hour" for Chicago football. The sun will be long gone, the lakefront wind will probably be biting, and the stadium lights will be humming. It’s a primetime atmosphere for a Divisional Round matchup that has massive implications.
Where to Watch and Listen
You aren't going to have to hunt through obscure cable channels for this one. Since it’s a high-stakes playoff game, the coverage is everywhere.
- TV Network: NBC is the home for this game.
- Streaming: Peacock will have the live stream, which is handy if you’re away from a traditional TV. You can also catch it on NFL+ if you’re within the Chicago market.
- Radio: If you're driving or just prefer the local flavor, ESPN Chicago (1000 AM and 100.3 FM HD2) is the place to be. Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer are legendary for a reason—they bring a level of energy that honestly makes the TV broadcast feel a bit quiet sometimes.
- Spanish Radio: Latino Mix 93.5 FM will handle the Spanish-language broadcast with Omar Ramos on the call.
Why This Game is a Massive Deal
Look, we can't talk about the game time without talking about the stakes. The Bears finished the regular season 11-6. They snagged the No. 2 seed. The Rams are coming in as the No. 5 seed after the 49ers did us a favor by beating the Eagles.
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It’s a clash of styles. The Bears' offense, led by the Erhardt-Perkins scheme, has been humming, averaging nearly 26 points a game. But the Rams aren't exactly pushovers. This is the Divisional Round; there are no "easy" games left. The winner of this matchup moves on to the NFC Championship to face either the Seahawks or the 49ers on January 25.
If the Bears win, and the Seahawks lose their matchup, the NFC Championship could actually come back to Soldier Field. Can you imagine? Two playoff games at home was already a gift, but a third? That’s the kind of stuff Chicago fans have been dreaming about for decades.
Pre-Game and Post-Game Coverage
If you want to soak in every second of the hype, the local coverage starts way before the 5:30 p.m. kickoff.
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- Bears Gameday Live: This starts at 12:30 p.m. on FOX 32 Chicago. It’s good for getting the "vibe" of the city and seeing the early tailgating reports.
- ESPN Chicago Pregame: Marc Silverman, Tom Waddle, and Dionne Miller start their broadcast at 3:00 p.m.
- Bears Postgame Live: Once the clock hits zero, Marquee Sports Network picks up the coverage. This is usually where you get the raw locker room quotes and the "what went right/wrong" breakdowns.
Navigating the Soldier Field Chaos
If you are one of the lucky few with tickets—shoutout to you for braving the January Chicago weather—getting there is a project.
The gates usually open two hours before kickoff. So, for a 5:30 p.m. start, you want to be at the gates by 3:30 p.m. if you want to see the warmups. Parking around Museum Campus is notoriously a nightmare during the playoffs. Honestly, take the Metra or the CTA if you can. The "Bears Shuttle" from Ogilvie and Union Station is usually the most sane way to get to the lakefront without losing your mind in traffic.
Actionable Steps for Game Day
Don't wait until 5:25 p.m. to get your life together. Here is how you actually prep for this:
- Check Your Tech: If you're streaming on Peacock, log in now. Don't be the person resetting their password while the opening kickoff is happening.
- Sync Your Audio: If you like the Joniak/Thayer radio call but want to watch the NBC video, use a radio app with a delay feature. The TV broadcast is usually about 5-10 seconds behind the live radio.
- Dress in Layers: This sounds like "Mom" advice, but Soldier Field in January is a different beast. The wind off Lake Michigan creates micro-climates that defy logic. If you're going to the game, three layers is the minimum.
The Bears have a real shot this year. The Ben Johnson era has brought a sense of stability and explosive playmaking that we haven't seen in a long time. Whether you're watching from a bar in River North or your couch in the suburbs, the what time is chicago bears game question is answered. 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Be there.