NFC North Rivalry
Vikings vs Bears
Two games every year, one of the NFL's oldest rivalries
Minnesota and Chicago have played 130 times since 1961, more than either club has played any other opponent, and they meet twice a year for as long as they share the NFC North. This hub tracks both the home and away meeting each season, the all-time series record, the latest completed matchup and the players carrying the rivalry forward.
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MinnesotaVikings
ChicagoBears
Broadcast on FOX. Both teams enter Week 2 at 1-0; Minnesota opened with a 39-22 home win over Green Bay (Week 1 recap, standings). Schedule confirmed on the Vikings' 2026 schedule and the NFL.com game centre.
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ChicagoBears
MinnesotaVikings
The NFL sets Week 18 dates, times and TV assignments after Week 17 finishes, so the date, kickoff time and TV network for this game have not been set yet. Check the NFL.com game centre for the confirmed date closer to the game.
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Vikings
17
Bears
19
November 16, 2025 · U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis · J.J. McCarthy 150 passing yards, 1 TD; Aaron Jones Sr. 70 rushing yards
View the full 2025 Week 11 recapMinnesota leads 69-58-2 in the regular season. The teams have met once in the playoffs: the Bears won 35-18 on January 1, 1995, in an NFC Wild Card game at Soldier Field.
Previous Seasons
Minnesota and Chicago play twice a year. Here is how the last five seasons split, with full details in the head-to-head table below.
- 2024 Vikings swept both games, 30-27 at Chicago and 30-12 at Minnesota Details
- 2023 Split 1-1: Vikings won 19-13 at Chicago, Bears won 12-10 at Minnesota Details
- 2022 Vikings swept both games, 29-22 at Minnesota and 29-13 at Chicago Details
- 2021 Vikings swept both games, 17-9 at Chicago and 31-17 at Minnesota Details
- 2020 Split 1-1: Vikings won 19-13 at Chicago, Bears won 33-27 at Minnesota Details
Head-to-Head History
The Vikings and Bears have met 130 times since Minnesota's first NFL season in 1961, more meetings than the Vikings have played against any other opponent. These are the meetings that shaped the rivalry, plus every game from the last five seasons.
| Date | Location | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 17, 1961 | Metropolitan Stadium | Vikings 37, Bears 13 | The first-ever meeting between the two franchises, in the Vikings' inaugural NFL season. |
| Jan 1, 1995 | Soldier Field | Bears 35, Vikings 18 | NFC Wild Card. The only postseason meeting in series history; Erik Kramer threw for 371 yards for Chicago. |
| Nov 16, 2020 | Soldier Field | Vikings 19, Bears 13 | Regular season, Week 10. |
| Dec 20, 2020 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Bears 33, Vikings 27 | David Montgomery ran for a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns. |
| Dec 20, 2021 | Soldier Field | Vikings 17, Bears 9 | Kirk Cousins threw two touchdown passes. |
| Jan 9, 2022 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Vikings 31, Bears 17 | Regular season finale, Week 18. |
| Oct 9, 2022 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Vikings 29, Bears 22 | Regular season, Week 5. |
| Jan 8, 2023 | Soldier Field | Vikings 29, Bears 13 | Regular season finale, Week 18. |
| Oct 15, 2023 | Soldier Field | Vikings 19, Bears 13 | Regular season, Week 6. |
| Nov 27, 2023 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Bears 12, Vikings 10 | Monday Night Football, Week 12. |
| Nov 24, 2024 | Soldier Field | Vikings 30, Bears 27 | Regular season, Week 12. Minnesota led 27-16 before holding off a late Chicago rally. |
| Dec 16, 2024 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Vikings 30, Bears 12 | Regular season, Week 15. |
| Sep 8, 2025 | Soldier Field | Vikings 27, Bears 24 | Monday Night Football season opener. J.J. McCarthy produced three fourth-quarter touchdowns. |
| Nov 16, 2025 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Bears 19, Vikings 17 | Most recent meeting, Week 11. Decided by a 48-yard Cairo Santos field goal as time expired. |
Not an exhaustive list of all 130 meetings. Figures reflect the combined regular-season and postseason series through November 16, 2025.
Key Players
Players to watch on both sides heading into the 2026 meetings.
Vikings
Quarterback
Listed first among Minnesota’s quarterbacks on the 2026 depth chart, and the passer the Bears are most likely to face in these meetings.
Quarterback
Started both 2025 meetings, throwing three fourth-quarter touchdowns to beat Chicago in the season opener, then the go-ahead score to Jordan Addison in the Week 11 rematch before the Bears won it late.
Wide Receiver
Minnesota's All-Pro receiver and the focal point of its passing game against a Bears secondary anchored by Jaylon Johnson.
Safety
Now in his 14th season, Smith is the longest-tenured Viking on the roster and has started against the Bears more than any other active player on either side.
Bears
Caleb Williams
Quarterback
Chicago's starting quarterback under head coach Ben Johnson, coming off an NFC North title and a playoff win in 2025.
Rome Odunze
Wide Receiver
Chicago's top receiving option after the team traded DJ Moore to Buffalo, with rising production in his second NFL season.
Montez Sweat
Defensive End
Chicago's leading pass rusher, with 10 sacks last season, and the edge Minnesota's offensive line will have to account for on every snap.
Bears Viewing Guide
Where to watch every Vikings vs Bears game, TV channels and streaming options for both 2026 meetings.
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Bears Tickets Guide
Tips for buying tickets to both games, seating information and what to know before heading to Soldier Field or U.S. Bank Stadium.
View tickets guideRelated Coverage
More Vikings vs Bears and NFC North coverage on this site.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Vikings play the Bears in 2026?
Twice. Minnesota travels to Chicago for Week 2 on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. CDT at Soldier Field on FOX. The Bears visit U.S. Bank Stadium for the return game in Week 18; the NFL sets that date and kickoff time after Week 17.
Who leads the Vikings vs Bears all-time series?
The Minnesota Vikings lead 69-59-2 across 130 meetings since 1961, including a 69-58-2 regular-season record. The teams have met once in the playoffs, a 35-18 Bears win on January 1, 1995.
What happened in the Week 11, 2025 game?
The Bears won 19-17 at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 16, 2025. Minnesota took a late lead on a J.J. McCarthy to Jordan Addison touchdown, but Chicago answered with a Devin Duvernay kickoff return that set up a 48-yard Cairo Santos field goal as time expired.
When was the last Vikings vs Bears game?
November 16, 2025, when the Bears beat the Vikings 19-17 at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Have the Vikings and Bears met in the playoffs?
Yes, once. The Bears won 35-18 at Soldier Field on January 1, 1995, in an NFC Wild Card game.
How many times have the Vikings and Bears played?
130 times since September 17, 1961, more than the Vikings have played any other opponent. Minnesota won the first meeting 37-13 in its inaugural NFL season.