You’re probably here because you want to know if the Bears are playing today, or maybe you're trying to figure out which stadium you'll need to trek to next fall. Honestly, the timing is pretty wild. We are sitting right in the middle of January 2026, and if you haven't been following the news, the Chicago Bears just pulled off one of the most insane playoff wins in the history of the franchise.
The "Show me the Chicago Bears football schedule" request usually leads to a boring list of dates, but right now, it's about a deep playoff run and a future 2026 opponent list that looks absolutely brutal.
The Immediate Schedule: The Road to the Super Bowl
If you are looking for the next game, look no further than tomorrow. The Bears are still alive.
After a legendary 31-27 comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round—where they were down 21-3 at the half, mind you—the city is basically on fire with excitement. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Bears host the Los Angeles Rams at Soldier Field for the NFC Divisional Round.
Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. CT. You can catch it on NBC.
If they win this? They move on to the NFC Championship Game on January 25. If they lose? Well, then we start talking about the 2026 regular season, which is already taking shape.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Regular Season Opponents
We don't have the exact 18-week calendar with times and dates for the 2026 season yet—the NFL usually drops that bombshell in May—but we do know exactly who the Bears are playing. Because the Bears finished first in the NFC North this year (it still feels good to say that), their 2026 schedule is officially a "first-place schedule."
That means no easy outs.
The 2026 rotation has the NFC North matched up against the NFC South and the AFC East. Plus, because of the "parity" rules, the Bears have to play the other first-place teams in the NFC and AFC.
Home Games at Soldier Field (or wherever...)
- Green Bay Packers: Obviously.
- Detroit Lions: The rivalry is getting spicy.
- Minnesota Vikings: Standard divisional fare.
- Atlanta Falcons: A reunion with some familiar faces.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Expect a lot of "Caleb vs. whoever the Bucs have" talk.
- Buffalo Bills: Hopefully, this isn't a December game with 40mph winds.
- Miami Dolphins: A chance to see the track stars of the AFC.
- Philadelphia Eagles: This is the "first-place" matchup. Brutal.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: The AFC "place-based" game.
Road Games: Pack Your Bags
- Green Bay Packers: Lambeau in the cold. Classic.
- Detroit Lions: Ford Field is loud these days.
- Minnesota Vikings: That horn is still annoying.
- New Orleans Saints: Great food, tough stadium.
- Carolina Panthers: Hopefully a bounce-back year for them.
- New York Jets: A trip to the Meadowlands.
- New England Patriots: Foxborough in the fall.
- Seattle Seahawks: The 12th Man vs. the Monsters of the Midway.
The 2025 Regular Season: How We Got Here
It’s easy to forget that this season started with a lot of question marks. The Bears finished 12-6. They started a bit shaky with losses to the Vikings and Lions early on, but Caleb Williams really hit his stride in November.
One of the turning points was that Friday night game on November 28 against the Eagles. Winning 24-15 in Philly basically told the rest of the league that the Bears weren't just "happy to be here." They were contenders.
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The defense, anchored by Grady Jarrett (who has been an absolute steal of a signing), has been top-five in the league for the second half of the year. That’s why tomorrow’s game against the Rams is so fascinating—it’s the league's best offense coming into a freezing Soldier Field against a defense that hasn't allowed more than 20 points at home since October.
The Stadium Drama: Will the 2026 Schedule Even Be in Chicago?
This is the elephant in the room. Or the Bear in the room.
Just yesterday, January 16, 2026, there was more news about the stadium saga. While the team is winning on the field, the front office is still fighting for a new home. The city of Gary, Indiana, just pitched three different sites for a new "Stadium District."
One site is Buffington Harbor, right near the airport. It's close to Chicago, but it's not in Chicago. The Bears already own that massive plot in Arlington Heights, but taxes and infrastructure have that deal moving at a snail's pace.
Basically, when you look at the 2026 schedule, there is a tiny, non-zero chance that the home games might not be at 1410 Special Olympics Drive for much longer. For now, enjoy the lakefront while you can.
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Actionable Tips for Bears Fans Right Now
If you're trying to keep up with the schedule or grab tickets, here is what you actually need to do:
- Divisional Round Tickets: If you’re trying to go to the Rams game tomorrow, be prepared to pay. Resale prices are hovering around $450 for nosebleeds. Check the official Bears app or Ticketmaster, but stay away from those random guys on social media claiming they have "four tickets for $200." It’s a scam.
- The May Schedule Release: Set a reminder on your phone for mid-May. That is when the NFL will announce the actual dates and kickoff times for those 2026 opponents listed above. That's when you book your flights to New Orleans or Seattle.
- Watch the Standings: The 2026 schedule is "set" because the regular season is over, but the order of the games matters for things like "rest advantage." Keep an eye on the NFL Operations page for the "Strength of Schedule" rankings that come out in February.
The Bears are in a window right now. The roster is young, the quarterback is playing like a superstar, and the schedule for next year—while tough—is exactly what a championship-caliber team should want.
Tomorrow night at 5:30. Be there, or at least be near a TV.
Check the official NFL playoff bracket tonight to see who the winner of Bears-Rams will face in the next round. It's likely going to be a trip to San Francisco or a rematch with the Lions.