Whether it’s opening week or a late-season playoff push, there’s no doubt fans across the Midwest are eager to watch Chicago Bears football. Led by head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, the defending NFC North champions are on a mission to build upon their previous 11-6 finish.
If you’re cheering from downtown Chicago, Peoria, or Rockford, keeping up with the action is a breeze. Most of the team’s Sunday afternoon matchups air locally on your regional CBS and FOX broadcast networks. But of course, not every Bears fan lives in Illinois. That’s why I put together this comprehensive TV guide that outlines which channels, streaming platforms, and TV packages you’ll need.
What channel shows Chicago Bears games?
You can watch the Chicago Bears across seven key channels this season: ABC, CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix. Most Sunday afternoon matchups air locally on CBS and FOX. But if you live outside the Chicago TV market, you’ll need an NFL Sunday Ticket subscription to watch those regional broadcasts.
In-market CBS games will stream on Paramount+, and all NBC matchups will be available on Peacock Premium. Additionally, you can watch in-market and nationally televised games on your mobile device with NFL+.
2026 Chicago Bears TV schedule
The 2026 schedule features several prominent matchups for Caleb Williams and the Bears. Highlights include prime-time games against the Eagles and Seahawks, plus a Thanksgiving game in Detroit. The Bears also host the Packers on Christmas Day exclusively on Netflix.
NFL flex scheduling can change game times and networks later in the season, so I’ll update the schedule below to keep you in the know.
NFL - Chicago Bears Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 15 | 1:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 29 | 6:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 3 | Monday, Sept. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 11 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 7 | Thursday, Oct. 22 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 7 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 8 | Monday, Nov. 2 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 6 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Saturday, Dec. 19 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | Friday, Dec. 25 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 3 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching the Chicago Bears
While watching NFL games seems to get trickier each year, catching the Monsters of the Midway is fairly straightforward this season. In fact, a digital antenna will get you access to almost every game if you live in or around Chicago. That includes the Amazon Prime Video and Netflix streaming exclusives, which are legally required to simulcast on local TV stations within the Windy City.
If an antenna doesn’t fit your viewing setup or you live a bit further outside the Chicagoland area, I recommend YouTube TV as the ideal live TV provider. It carries CBS, ESPN, FOX, and NBC, ensuring you don’t miss a beat. You’ll just need to pair it with separate Prime Video and Netflix subscriptions to catch those two exclusive matchups.
Best Overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) carries every traditional NFL TV channel, including ESPN and NFL Network. It also allows out-of-market fans to easily add NFL Sunday Ticket to their package.
Exclusive Games
At $8.99–$17.98/mo., Prime Video is required for most fans to stream the Bears’ Thursday Night Football matchup against the Patriots in Week 7.
Exclusive Games
In 2026, if you live outside of Chicagoland, you’ll need a Netflix subscription ($8.99–$26.99/mo.) to stream the Bears’ Christmas Day showdown against the Packers.
Out-of-Market Coverage
This add-on is essential for fans outside the Midwest, providing access to every out-of-market Sunday-afternoon Bears game that isn’t airing locally.
Traditional TV providers with local channels and ESPN still deliver most Bears matchups, though you’ll need streaming subscriptions for exclusives. Since regional blackouts dictate game availability by location, I’ve broken down popular TV providers below.
| Provider | Price | CBS | FOX | ESPN | NBC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$171.98/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
What channel is the Chicago Bears Network?
The Chicago Bears Network is accessible to in-market viewers on ChicagoBears.com, the Chicago Bears Official App, and select TV channels across the U.S. Each TV affiliate station in the Chicago Bears Network shows preseason games. But if you’re outside the broadcast markets listed in the drop-down menu below, you can still catch preseason action on NFL+.
| TV market | Channel # | Station | Affiliate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago, IL | 32 | WFLD | FOX |
| Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City-Dubuque, IA | 2 | KGAN | CBS |
| Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, IA | 55/27 | WRSP-TV/WCCU | FOX |
| Evansville, IN | 7/25 | WTVW/WEHT | The CW/ABC |
| Fort Wayne, IN | 55 | WFFT-TV | FOX |
| Honolulu, HI | 5/13 | KGMB/KHNL | CBS/NBC |
| Madison, WI | 15 | WMTV | The CW |
| Peoria, IL | 31 | WMBD-TV | CBS |
| Quad Cities (Davenport-Bettendorf, IA/Rock Island-Moline, IL) | 18/4/26 | KLJB/WHBF-TV/KGCW | FOX/CBS/The CW |
| Rockford, IL | 23 | WIFR-LD | CBS/The CW |
| South Bend-Elkhart, IN | 22 | WSBT-TV | CBS/FOX |
| Terre Haute, IN | 2/38 | WTWO/WAWV-TV | NBC/ABC |
Watch the Chicago Bears for free
You can watch many Chicago Bears games for free using an over-the-air (OTA) antenna if you live near ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC stations. Local fans near a Chicago Bears Network affiliate benefit the most from antenna TV, as regional blackouts prevent out-of-market viewers from catching certain games.
Beyond local broadcasts, testing a live TV streaming service like DIRECTV or YouTube TV is a great way for Bears fans to catch some NFL games before fully committing. You can also leverage Prime Video’s generous 30-day free trial to stream Chicago’s Thursday Night Football appearance against the Patriots without paying a dime.
Get tickets to see the Bears!
Buy Chicago Bears tickets through our partner, StubHub — your source for the best deals on Bears games and more.
How to watch the Chicago Bears FAQ
Can I stream Bears games without cable?
Yes, Chicago Bears games can easily be streamed without traditional cable. In-market fans need a live TV streaming service carrying their local CBS and FOX affiliates, while out-of-market fans can use NFL Sunday Ticket. You'll also need Prime Video and Netflix for this season's exclusive matchups.
Can I watch the Chicago Bears for free?
Yes. Local Sunday afternoon games on CBS and FOX, as well as national games on NBC and ABC, can be watched for free using a digital over-the-air antenna. You can also check out temporary free trials from live TV streaming services to catch select games.
Who are the Bears' TV announcers?
While regular-season games rotate national broadcast crews, Adam Amin (play-by-play) and Jim Miller (analyst) lead the Bears' local preseason TV broadcast. They're typically joined by sideline reporters like Lou Canellis and Jasmine Baker to round out the coverage.
How can I listen to Bears radio coverage?
Tune in to ESPN 1000 (WMVP-AM) to catch Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer calling every Chicago Bears game on the radio. Coverage is also available across the Midwest via the Chicago Bears Radio Network, which features dozens of affiliate stations.
Why are Bears games blacked out in my area?
Blackout rules restrict local games on NFL Sunday Ticket within a team's home broadcast region. If a Bears game is blacked out on your Sunday Ticket package, you simply need to switch over to your local CBS or FOX affiliate to watch the game live.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched and analyzed every Chicago Bears game airing on TV this season. He then verified the TV stations within the Chicago Bears Network before comparing viewing options. With that information, Taylor determined his provider recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
