Updated: August 15, 2026

Chicago hosts Cleveland at Soldier Field in the Bears' first preseason game of 2026.

Bears Game Today: Browns vs Bears Schedule

The Bears game today features the Chicago Bears against the Cleveland Browns in the opening week of the 2026 NFL preseason. The matchup takes place Saturday, August 15, at Soldier Field in Chicago, giving both teams their first game action of the new football season.

The game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET, or 12:00 p.m. CT in Chicago. For viewers in Bangladesh, kickoff is approximately 11:00 p.m. Bangladesh Standard Time. The NFL and Chicago Bears both list Cleveland at Chicago as the Week 1 preseason matchup.

Are the Bears Playing Today?

Yes. The Chicago Bears play the Cleveland Browns today, August 15, 2026, in their first preseason game. The Bears are at home at Soldier Field, while Cleveland is beginning its own three-game preseason schedule on the road.

The game is an NFL preseason contest rather than a regular-season matchup, so the primary focus is on player evaluation, competition for roster positions and building game readiness.

What Time Is the Bears Game Today?

The official kickoff is 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time and 12:00 p.m. Central Time. Chicago Bears schedule information lists the game at noon local time, while the NFL lists it at 1 p.m. ET.

That translates to approximately 11:00 p.m. in Bangladesh on Saturday night.

Where Are the Bears Playing?

The game will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago, home of the Bears. Chicago's official schedule lists the Browns matchup as a home preseason game.

How to Watch Bears vs Browns

The NFL schedule lists NFL Network as the national television outlet for the matchup. In the Chicago market, the game is also being carried by the Chicago Bears television network on FOX32.

Local and regional availability can differ depending on location and television provider, so viewers outside the Chicago or Cleveland markets should check their local listings or an authorized NFL viewing service.

Bears Game Today: Who Is Expected to Play?

The biggest preseason storyline for Chicago is that several key starters are expected to sit out. Head coach Ben Johnson has announced that quarterback Tyson Bagent will start against Cleveland, while Caleb Williams is expected to remain out of the preseason opener.

That makes the game particularly important for players competing for roster spots and depth-chart positions. Attention is also on young players and several position battles during Chicago's training camp.

Browns Quarterback Battle Takes Center Stage

Cleveland enters the game with one of the preseason's most closely watched quarterback competitions. The Browns plan to start Deshaun Watson, with head coach Todd Monken saying Watson is expected to play the first half before Shedeur Sanders takes over in the second half.

The matchup is therefore an important evaluation opportunity for Cleveland. Watson is returning from a lengthy absence involving Achilles injuries, while Sanders is competing for a larger role in the Browns' quarterback picture.

Why Bears vs Browns Matters

Preseason results do not count toward the regular-season standings, but these games are valuable for coaches and players. Chicago can evaluate young talent, test depth and work through position competitions before the regular season begins.

For Cleveland, the quarterback competition adds another layer of importance. Watson and Sanders are expected to receive meaningful opportunities in a controlled game environment, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate them under live-game conditions.

Chicago Bears Preseason Schedule 2026

The Bears have three preseason games scheduled in 2026:

• August 15: Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears — 12:00 p.m. CT
• August 22: Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals — 6:00 p.m. CT
• August 29: Chicago Bears at Tennessee Titans — 5:00 p.m. CT

Chicago's official schedule confirms all three preseason opponents and venues.

Bears Schedule After the Preseason

Chicago's 2026 regular season begins on September 13, when the Bears travel to face the Carolina Panthers. The team then returns home to play the Minnesota Vikings on September 20 before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on September 28 in a Monday night game.

The regular season is the stage that ultimately determines Chicago's playoff position, while the preseason is primarily used to prepare the roster for that campaign.

Cleveland Browns Preseason Schedule

Cleveland's preseason schedule also contains three games. After visiting Chicago, the Browns host the Buffalo Bills on August 22 before hosting the New England Patriots on August 27.

What Should Fans Watch in Bears vs Browns?

For Chicago, the most important areas to watch include quarterback Tyson Bagent, young defensive players and several roster competitions. Because many established starters are not expected to play, opportunities for backups and rookies can be especially significant.

For Cleveland, quarterback performance will naturally attract the most attention. Watson's return to game action and Sanders' opportunity in the second half could provide an early indication of how the competition develops.

Bottom Line

The Bears game today is Chicago Bears vs Cleveland Browns, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Soldier Field. The game is the Bears' first preseason contest and can be watched nationally on NFL Network, with local Chicago coverage on FOX32.

Chicago's 2026 preseason continues against Cincinnati on August 22 and Tennessee on August 29 before the regular season begins September 13.