NFL officials confirmed Madrid will host a Week 9 game in 2026 — the Atlanta Falcons vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Nov. 8 — which means the Chicago Bears avoid an international trip for the second straight season. With the Bears among teams holding Spanish marketing rights, Chicago still looks likely to return to Madrid within a few years even as it navigates a pivotal stretch of roster and coaching development.
Falcons to host Bengals in Madrid; Bears dodge another international trip
The NFL’s decision to stage Falcons vs. Bengals in Madrid on Nov. 8 removes Chicago from this year’s international slate. The Bears will instead travel to Atlanta for their matchup against the Falcons, avoiding the logistical disruption and travel load that accompany overseas games. For a franchise in rebuild mode, that is a meaningful short-term advantage.
Why this matters for the Bears
Chicago holding marketing rights in Spain — alongside the Chiefs and Dolphins — keeps the team squarely in the NFL’s Madrid plans. Avoiding Madrid now doesn’t close the door: it arguably buys the Bears time to stabilize personnel and coaching before taking a higher-profile international stage. In practical terms, fewer long-distance travel variables during the regular season can help preserve practice rhythm and recovery for a young roster.
Competitive and organizational implications
Playing the Falcons in Atlanta is not a simple consolation; it’s a tough road assignment with playoff-style atmosphere potential. But skipping an international game reduces travel fatigue and preserves preparation windows. From a business perspective, the Bears’ Spanish ties mean a return to Madrid remains probable — the league will prefer teams with local marketing presence when scheduling overseas fixtures.
Context: Bears’ last international appearance and franchise trajectory
Chicago’s most recent international game was in 2024, when rookie quarterback Caleb Williams led a convincing 35-16 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. That victory preceded a brutal 10-game losing streak and a coaching change that reshaped the franchise. The contrast is stark: a high-profile international triumph followed by organizational turbulence underscores why a more controlled reintroduction to the global stage could be preferable.
What the Madrid selection signals about the NFL
The Falcons hosting the Bengals in Madrid reflects the league’s strategy of pairing recognizable teams and compelling matchups to maximize overseas engagement. For the Bears, being in the roster of Spain-marketed teams is an asset — it ensures future consideration, but also raises expectations that Chicago will deliver a competitive and marketable product when the trip eventually comes.
When the Bears’ 2026 schedule will be released
The full 2026 schedule is set to be released Thursday, May 14. That release will confirm dates and times but the international Week 9 slot is already locked in for Falcons vs. Bengals in Madrid.
Chicago Bears opponents in 2026
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Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Atlanta Falcons
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Carolina Panthers
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks
What comes next
Chicago avoided an immediate overseas test, which is strategically sound while it rebuilds around young talent. Expect the front office and coaching staff to view this as an opportunity to establish consistency before accepting the spotlight that an international game brings.
2026 NFL schedule: Who has the most difficult and easiest strength of schedule this season?
Given the Bears’ commercial ties to Spain, a Madrid matchup remains a likely milestone for the franchise in the near future.
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