The 2026 NFL schedule dropped Thursday night, and if you've got a Bears fan in your life, you already know the rest of the year just got organized around 17 Sundays. They've memorized the dates. They've already started arguing about the primetime spots. They've probably texted you about it.
Here's what your Bears fan will be watching this season — and what that means if you're the one shopping for them.
The games on the fridge
A handful of games per season set the tone for a Bears fan's whole year. Here are the dates that'll matter most in 2026:
- Monday, September 28 — Eagles at Bears (Monday Night Football). Soldier Field under the lights. ESPN, 8:15 PM. Caleb Williams' primetime moment.
- Thursday, October 22 — Patriots at Bears (Thursday Night Football). Amazon TNF at Soldier Field. Two young QBs going head to head.
- Thursday, November 26 — Bears at Lions (Thanksgiving Day). NFC North on Thanksgiving. 1 PM ET. CBS/Paramount+.
Bears Fan Cave Gifts
Full 2026 Bears Schedule
Week-by-week preview links. After each game, the preview becomes a recap with final score and highlights.
Why this matters for the gift you're picking
Bears fans love hard and complain harder. Caleb Williams is supposed to be the answer. They are willing to be convinced.
When you're shopping for the Bears fan in your life — your dad, your husband, your father-in-law, your kid, your grandparent — you're not buying them "a sports gift." You're buying them their team. The good news: that makes the gift easy.
Schedule release night is the loudest night of the offseason for a reason. Your fan's whole fall just took shape. Help them celebrate it.