What a week for Chicago sports. From Monday, September 28 through Friday, October 2, every big-time Chicago team is in action: the Bears on Monday Night Football, the Cubs and White Sox both in the MLB playoffs, the Blackhawks opening their NHL season, and Northwestern christening its brand new lakefront Ryan Field. Here is the full week, with dates, times in Central and Eastern, and where to watch, plus quick links to every team and playoff schedule.
Chicago Sports This Week: TV and Watch Guide
| Day | Matchup | Site | Time (CT / ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, Sep 28 | Bears vs Eagles (NFL) | Soldier Field (home) | 7:15 PM CT (8:15 ET) | ESPN and ABC |
| Tue, Sep 29 | White Sox at Astros (AL Wild Card G1) | Houston (away) | 4:00 PM CT (5:00 ET) | NBC, Peacock, NBCSN |
| Tue, Sep 29 | Cubs at Padres (NL Wild Card G1) | San Diego (away) | 9:00 PM CT (10:00 ET) | NBC, Peacock, NBCSN |
| Tue, Sep 29 | Blackhawks at Golden Knights (NHL opener) | Las Vegas (away) | 9:30 PM CT (10:30 ET) | ESPN |
| Wed, Sep 30 | White Sox at Astros (Wild Card G2) | Houston (away) | Time TBD | NBC platforms |
| Wed, Sep 30 | Cubs at Padres (Wild Card G2) | San Diego (away) | Time TBD | NBC platforms |
| Thu, Oct 1 | White Sox at Astros (Wild Card G3, if necessary) | Houston (away) | Time TBD | NBC platforms |
| Thu, Oct 1 | Cubs at Padres (Wild Card G3, if necessary) | San Diego (away) | Time TBD | NBC platforms |
| Fri, Oct 2 | Penn State at Northwestern (new Ryan Field opener) | Evanston (home) | 7:00 PM CT (8:00 ET) | FOX |
One note for the baseball: the Cubs and White Sox both made the field as lower seeds, so their best-of-three Wild Card Series are on the road, the Cubs at the Padres and the White Sox at the Astros. Game 1 and Game 2 are set for Tuesday and Wednesday, with a Game 3 on Thursday only if a series is tied. Game 2 and Game 3 start times are announced after the previous game.
Team Schedules and Playoff Pages
Jump straight to the schedule and playoff pages for each Chicago team:
- Chicago Bears 2026 schedule and how to watch
- Cubs and White Sox Wild Card Series: matchups, times and TV
- Printable 2026 MLB playoff bracket
- 2026 MLB postseason TV schedule, every round and channel
- 2026 MLB standings and live playoff bracket
- Printable 2026-27 Blackhawks and NHL team schedules
- 2026 Northwestern Wildcats football schedule
Looking Ahead: 2027 Cubs and White Sox
Already thinking about next year, with the All-Star Game coming to Wrigley Field? Grab the 2027 schedules and mark your calendar:
- Printable 2027 Cubs and White Sox schedules (all 30 teams)
- 2027 MLB All-Star Week at Wrigley Field
- Cubs and White Sox both make the playoffs: a Chicago first
Printable Chicago Sports Week (PDF)
Download the printable Chicago sports week (PDF)
Chicago Sports Week FAQ
Are the Cubs and White Sox playing at home this week?
No. Both are lower seeds in the Wild Card round, so the Cubs play at the Padres in San Diego and the White Sox play at the Astros in Houston. Every game airs on NBC, Peacock, and NBC Sports Network.
When do the Bears play this week?
Monday, September 28 on Monday Night Football, hosting the Eagles at Soldier Field at 7:15 PM CT (8:15 ET) on ESPN and ABC.
When does the new Northwestern stadium open?
Friday, October 2, when Northwestern hosts Penn State in the debut of the new lakefront Ryan Field at 7:00 PM CT (8:00 ET) on FOX.
