The Chicago Bears will kick off the 2026 NFL season against the Carolina Panthers, where they're looking to start the year off with a win.
Chicago is coming off an impressive first season under head coach Ben Johnson, where the team went from worst to first with an 11-6 record, winning the NFC North for the first time in eight years and winning a playoff game for the first time in nearly two decades. Meanwhile, the Panthers are coming off an 8-9 season, which included a pivotal Week 18 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to secure the NFC South division title and their first trip to the playoffs in nearly a decade.
Here's how to watch Bears vs. Panthers in Week 1:
Stream Bears vs. Panthers (free trial)
What TV channel is Bears vs. Panthers on today?
- TV channel: FOX
- Streaming: NFL+ | Fubo (free trial)
The Bears and Panthers play Sunday in Week 1
of the 2026 NFL season. The Bears vs. Panthers game will air on FOX. Streaming options for the game include NFL+ and Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Bears vs. Panthers start time
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026
- Time: 12 p.m. CT
- Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)
Kickoff for the Bears and Panthers regular-season opener is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
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Bears regular-season schedule 2026
Below is Chicago's regular-season schedule.
- Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 3: Monday, Sept. 28, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
- Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 7: Thursday, Oct. 22, vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime
- Week 8: Monday, Nov. 1, at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN
- Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC
- Week 10: BYE WEEK
- Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 12: Thursday, Nov. 26, at Detroit Lions, 12:30 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 15: Saturday, Dec. 19, at Buffalo Bills, 8:20 p.m. ET, CBS
- Week 16: Friday, Dec. 25, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET, Netflix
- Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX
- Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 10, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET, TBD
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: What channel is Bears vs. Panthers on today? Time, TV schedule
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