Eleven wins, six losses, an NFC North title, and a playoff win Chicago hadn’t pulled off since 2010. That’s the Chicago Bears walking into 2026, and yeah, it’s earned. Ben Johnson’s in year two as head coach. Caleb Williams is in year three under center. The league took notice too: five primetime games this year, and for the first time ever, a Thanksgiving game and a Christmas Day game in the same season. Here’s what’s left on the schedule. And here’s the stuff most sites leave out, what game day at Soldier Field actually looks like once you’re trying to get there.
Chicago Bears 2026 Season Overview
Johnson took the job in 2025, and things turned around fast. A 5-12 team the year before became an 11-6 division winner. They beat the Packers 31-27 in a wild-card comeback, then lost a tough one to the Rams, 20-17 in overtime. That stretch is basically the whole reason 2026 has this much attention on it. Back-to-back division titles is the goal now, something Chicago hasn’t managed since 2005 and 2006.
Every remaining home game stays at Soldier Field this year. Stadium talk keeps coming up, Arlington Heights, a site out in Hammond, Indiana, but none of it affects this season. Soldier Field’s still the place.
Chicago Bears Schedule 2026
With the season already underway, here’s what’s still ahead. Philadelphia comes to Soldier Field for a Monday Night Football matchup on September 28, the first of five primetime dates this year. From there it’s the Jets in Week 4, a trip to Green Bay in Week 5, then Atlanta on the road before New England visits on Thursday Night Football in Week 7. Bye week lands in Week 10. Later in the year, Chicago heads to Detroit for Thanksgiving against the Lions, then hosts Green Bay at home on Christmas Day, which streams on Netflix this year.
Chicago Bears Home Games
Eight home dates left at Soldier Field this year. Philadelphia’s up first, then the Jets, followed later by the Patriots, the Buccaneers, and Green Bay on Christmas Day among others. The Patriots and Buccaneers are new faces on the home schedule this year, part of the usual rotation that’s bringing the AFC East and NFC South through Chicago this time. A handful of those remaining games are primetime, so expect a mix of Chicago Bears NFL games the rest of the season, early kickoffs, late afternoon starts, a few under the lights.
Chicago Bears Tickets
Official team site or one of the resale marketplaces, that’s where tickets come from. Prices jump around depending on the opponent, the kickoff slot, and how close to the date you’re shopping. Division games cost more. So do the primetime ones. If there’s a game already circled on the calendar, buy sooner rather than later, prices rarely go the other direction.
Getting Chicago Bears Fans to Soldier Field on Game Day
Sounds nice on paper, right on the lake, close to downtown. Less nice when you’re stuck in a lot with 60,000 other people trying to leave at the same time. Lake Shore Drive backs up before kickoff and after the game both. It’s worse for the big matchups, primetime games pull in an earlier crowd that sticks around longer to tailgate.
There’s transit too, Metra Electric, CTA buses, both get you close. They’re packed on the busy days though. Parking near the stadium sells out fast for the popular games, and even with a pass in hand, getting in and then getting back out eats more time than most people plan for.
Why Chi Town Black Cars Makes Chicago Bears Game Day Easier
At this point the traffic pattern around Soldier Field isn’t really a mystery. Book ahead with Chi Town Black Cars and the two worst parts of the day, finding parking and crawling out afterward, just aren’t a problem anymore. The point-to-point car service drops off near the gates and picks back up from an agreed spot once the game ends. No hunting through a lot full of tailgate tents trying to remember where the car is.
Got season tickets, or just going to a few games this year? An hourly car service keeps a driver around for the whole stretch, tailgate and all, instead of booking something new every home date. Heading down with a group? A black car service usually beats everyone taking separate cars through the same traffic.
Flying in for one specific game, say the Christmas Day matchup or a big primetime date? Airport transfers from O’Hare or Midway can get you to the hotel or right to the stadium before kickoff. It’s the same idea as the special event rides Chi Town runs year-round, just repeated for every remaining home date this crowd has left on the calendar.
A Few Things Chicago Bears Fans Should Know
Kickoff times move around as the year goes on, late-season Sundays especially get flexed more often than people think. Wear a real coat, the wind coming off Lake Michigan makes December feel colder than whatever the forecast says. Planning to tailgate? Get there early, lot access tightens up fast as kickoff gets closer. And for the bigger dates, holiday games included, book transportation ahead of time. Waiting until game week usually means the good options are gone already.
Final Thoughts on Chicago Bears 2026
The playoff drought’s over, first one since 2010. That alone makes 2026 a big year for this team, but stack five primetime games, a Thanksgiving trip, and a first-ever Thanksgiving-Christmas combo on top of it, and the whole season feels bigger. Eight home games left at Soldier Field. Eight more times dealing with lakefront traffic, unless the ride’s already sorted through Chi Town Black Cars. Book it ahead. Then just show up and watch the game.
Chicago Bears 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the Bears play their home games?
Soldier Field, every time, right on the lakefront, south of downtown Chicago.
When’s the next Bears home game?
Philadelphia visits Soldier Field on Monday, September 28, for a primetime matchup, the first of five primetime dates left on this year’s schedule.
How many primetime games are left in 2026?
Five total, including the Thanksgiving game at Detroit and Christmas Day against Green Bay, marking the first season the Bears have played both holidays.
Best place to buy tickets?
Start with the official team site, or check a resale marketplace if that game’s already sold through. Either way, prices depend heavily on opponent, kickoff time, and how close to the date it is.
What about transportation on game day?
Parking disappears fast and traffic is rough coming and going, worse for primetime games. Most people who’ve dealt with it a few times just book a private car ahead of time and skip that part entirely.