One advantage of the Bears’ 2026 schedule won’t be a luxury Chicago can benefit from for long after latest NFL announcement
The Chicago Bears dodged having an international game during the 2026 season, but that won’t be a luxury the team will be able to appreciate in future seasons after latest announcement made by the NFL.
The NFL continues to expand its reach to other countries and while the Chicago Bears dodged an international game for the 2026 season, it’s not going to be a luxury the team will benefit from in future years.
On Tuesday at the NFL Owners’ Meetings in Orlando, the NFL approved the ability to play up to 10 international games a season starting in 2027, a jump from nine international games in seven different countries scheduled for the 2026 season. Teams also won’t be able to protect home games from being played internationally after the 2026 season.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added that the goal is to have 16 international games a season, which could put all 32 teams on foreign soil at least once per year.
Chicago Bears need to enjoy not having an international game while it lasts
The Bears were speculated as a potential team to play in an international game this upcoming season in Madrid, Spain against the Atlanta Falcons. However, the Cincinnati Bengals ended up getting scheduled for that game instead of Chicago.
Thanks to that, the Bears will travel the third-fewest total miles in the league this season with the highest net rest differential. The Bears need to enjoy these benefits while they last because all signs point toward Chicago playing overseas again sooner than later.
The last time the Bears played an international game was in 2023 when Chicago defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England. The Bears have international marketing rights in the UK, so a return to London could be in the cards. Spain continues to look like another ideal site for the Bears as well to eventually play an international game.
Chicago is one of the three teams (along with the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins) that have international marketing rights in Spain. As popularity continues to grow in other countries for the Bears, and the team continues to play an exciting brand of football, it’s easy to see how this is inevitable.
The good news is, every team is going to eventually get forced into an annual international game, so it’s not going to be a disadvantage that coaches, players, and fans currently view it as.
While the Bears dodged an international game in 2026, things could quickly change starting next season and the Bears would be a prime candidate for the league to put overseas if they continue impressing under head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams.