If you’re driving through the city right now or just can’t deal with the lag on your streaming app, you need to know exactly what radio station is the bears game on today before kickoff. We've all been there—fumbling with the dial while the opening kickoff is literally happening.
The short answer? If you are in the Chicago area, you’re looking for ESPN 1000 (WMVP-AM).
But honestly, it’s a bit more nuanced than just one number on the dial, especially with this being the 2026 NFL Divisional Round. Since it is Saturday, January 17, 2026, and the Bears are prepping to host the Los Angeles Rams tomorrow, the airwaves are already buzzing.
The Flagship: Where to Find the Action
For the 2025-2026 season, ESPN Chicago (1000 AM) is the undisputed home of the Chicago Bears. They’ve got the flagship rights, meaning that’s where you’ll hear Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer.
If you have a fancy radio with HD capabilities, you can also catch the crystal-clear broadcast on 100.3 FM HD2. It’s the same feed, just without that classic AM static that honestly some people (me included) kind of find nostalgic for football.
Why Jeff Joniak Matters
You haven't really "listened" to a Bears game until you've heard Joniak lose his mind over a Caleb Williams touchdown. His "Touchdown, Bears!" call is basically the heartbeat of the city at this point. Tom Thayer provides the "gritty" analysis—he’s a former Bear himself, so he’s going to tell you exactly why the offensive line is struggling or why the defensive scheme is genius.
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Beyond the City: The Bears Radio Network
Maybe you aren't in the 312 or 773. Maybe you’re out in Peoria or up near Rockford. You can't always pick up a 50,000-watt signal from Chicago if the weather is acting up.
The Bears Radio Network is a web of stations across the Midwest.
- Peoria: WMBD 1470 AM or 100.3 FM.
- Rockford: WXRX 104.9 FM "The X."
- Kankakee: WIVR 101.7 FM.
There are dozens of these affiliates. Basically, if you’re in Illinois, Indiana, or parts of Iowa, just scan the FM dial. You'll likely hit a station carrying the game within a few seconds.
Spanish Language Broadcasts
Chicago has a massive Spanish-speaking fanbase, and the team doesn't leave them hanging. For today's coverage and tomorrow's game, you can tune into Latino Mix 93.5 FM.
Omar Ramos handles the play-by-play there. Even if you don't speak Spanish, the energy on that broadcast is sometimes even higher than the English one. It’s worth a listen just for the pure vibes during a big play.
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Satellite and National Options
If you are currently stuck in a car in the middle of nowhere—let’s say, driving through Nebraska—local AM/FM isn't going to help you.
SiriusXM
For those with a subscription, you’re looking for Channel 228 for the Bears’ home feed. If you accidentally land on Channel 226, you’re going to hear the Rams’ announcers, and nobody wants that much L.A. energy when they're trying to pull for the Monsters of the Midway.
Westwood One
Since this is a playoff game (Divisional Round), it also gets a national radio broadcast. Westwood One usually carries these. You’ll often find this on various local sports talk stations that aren't the primary Bears affiliate. Kevin Harlan is usually the gold standard here, and he often does these national spots.
Streaming: The "Hidden" Catch
Here is where people get tripped up. You might think, "I'll just go to the station's website and hit 'Listen Live'."
Don't do that.
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Due to NFL blackout rules and crazy strict broadcasting contracts, most local station websites and apps (like the ESPN Chicago app) have to "black out" the game stream if you aren't within a certain geographic radius. Sometimes they have to black it out entirely on mobile devices.
If you want to stream the radio call on your phone, your best bets are:
- The Chicago Bears Official App: They usually have the local call available if you are in the Chicago market.
- NFL+: This is a paid service, but it’s the most reliable way to get the radio feeds for every single game without worrying about geofencing.
What's Happening Right Now?
Since today is Saturday and the game is tomorrow (Sunday, Jan 18), you won't hear the pads popping just yet. However, ESPN 1000 is running Bears Weekly and pre-game previews all day today.
Marc "Silvy" Silverman and Tom Waddle (a fan favorite) are usually all over the airwaves on Saturdays talking about the injury reports. Right now, the big story is the health of the secondary and whether they can contain the Rams' passing attack.
Pro-Tips for the Best Experience
- Check the Batteries: If you're using an old-school handheld radio at the stadium (yes, people still do this to avoid the TV delay), check your batteries today.
- Sync the Audio: If you’re watching on NBC/Peacock tomorrow but want to hear Joniak and Thayer, you might have to pause your TV for a few seconds to let the radio catch up. It’s a bit of a science, but it’s worth it.
- The "Tailgate" Effect: If you’re at Soldier Field tomorrow, the radio broadcast is actually broadcast with zero delay inside the stadium on certain low-power frequencies.
Knowing what radio station is the bears game on today is about more than just finding the score. It's about the connection to the city. Whether you're on the Dan Ryan or sitting in a garage in Naperville, that 1000 AM signal is the sound of Chicago football.
Actionable Next Steps: * Program your presets now: Set your car radio to 1000 AM and 100.3 FM HD2 so you aren't scrolling while driving.
- Download the NFL+ app: If you're traveling outside of Illinois this weekend, this is your only guaranteed way to hear the Chicago broadcast.
- Check the local listings: If you are in a rural area, use the "Station Finder" on the official Bears website to see which small-town FM station is your closest affiliate.