Who Plays Football Tonight? Vikings Face Bears on Monday Night Football

Who plays football tonight is the question many fans are asking. The answer is Monday Night Football is back as the Minnesota Vikings take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CDT, 8:15 p.m. EDT, and 5:15 p.m. PDT. The game will air live on ABC and ESPN. Fans can also stream it through NFL+ or ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service.

This game is drawing extra attention because it marks the NFL debut of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy for the Vikings. Minnesota is eager to see if their first-round draft pick can live up to the hype under the prime-time spotlight. The Bears, meanwhile, want to start the season strong and defend their home field in front of a national audience. According to ESPN, this Week 1 matchup will set the tone for both teams as the long road to Super Bowl 2026 begins.

Monday Night Football is one of the NFL’s most important showcases. Millions watch each week, and advertisers invest heavily. Every prime-time game influences storylines that carry across the season. A win tonight could give either team early momentum in the playoff race. For McCarthy, it is a chance to prove he belongs at the highest level. For the Bears, it is a chance to frustrate a rival and protect their reputation at home.

The Monday Night Football schedule released by the NFL includes many high-profile games this year. Here is the full list of upcoming matchups:

1. Week 1: Minnesota Vikings vs Chicago Bears (ESPN/ABC)

2. Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Houston Texans (ESPN/ABC)

3. Week 2: Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders (ESPN)

4. Week 3: Detroit Lions vs Baltimore Ravens (ESPN/ABC)

5. Week 4: New York Jets vs Miami Dolphins (ESPN)

6. Week 4: Cincinnati Bengals vs Denver Broncos (ABC)

7. Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs vs Jacksonville Jaguars (ESPN/ABC)

8. Week 6: Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons (ESPN)

9. Week 6: Chicago Bears vs Washington Commanders (ABC)

10. Week 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Detroit Lions (ESPN/ABC)

11. Week 7: Houston Texans vs Seattle Seahawks (ESPN)

12. Week 8: Washington Commanders vs Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN/ABC)

13. Week 9: Arizona Cardinals vs Dallas Cowboys (ESPN/ABC)

14. Week 10: Philadelphia Eagles vs Green Bay Packers (ESPN/ABC)

15. Week 11: Dallas Cowboys vs Las Vegas Raiders (ESPN/ABC)

16. Week 12: Carolina Panthers vs San Francisco 49ers (ESPN)

17. Week 13: New York Giants vs New England Patriots (ESPN)

18. Week 14: Philadelphia Eagles vs Los Angeles Chargers (ESPN/ABC)

19. Week 15: Miami Dolphins vs Pittsburgh Steelers (ESPN)

20. Week 16: San Francisco 49ers vs Indianapolis Colts (ESPN)

21. Week 17: Los Angeles Rams vs Atlanta Falcons (ESPN)

The answer to who plays football tonight is simple. It is Vikings versus Bears. Fans can expect a hard battle, a rookie debut, and the drama of opening week in the NFL under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.