CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - The Carolina Panthers’ Week One opponent has reportedly been set for the 2026 season, and fans will be treated to quite the interesting matchup.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported the Panthers will host the Chicago Bears in Charlotte to kick off the upcoming season.
The Panthers and Bears have often been linked together ever since Carolina traded up for the No. 1 draft pick in 2023, which it of course used to take quarterback Bryce Young.
Carolina was the worst team in 2023, and Chicago benefitted by getting the Panthers’ top pick in 2024. That pick was used on fellow quarterback Caleb Williams.
Since 2024, the Panthers and Bears have been on similar trajectories. They both won five games in 2024, then went on to win their divisions and made the playoffs in 2025. Both saw their playoff runs end with heartbreaking losses to the Los Angeles Rams.
Now in 2026, the Bears and Panthers have opportunities to keep building and the Week One matchup will seemingly be a good measuring-stick game for both teams.
Full schedule release
The NFL will release teams’ full schedules on Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m.
Carolina’s 2026 opponents were set months ago, and its slate won’t be an easy one. The Panthers will have the 10th-hardest schedule in 2026, based off opponents’ 2025 winning percentage.
The good news for the Panthers is that they will have nine games at Bank of America Stadium for the first time since 2022. Carolina had nine “home” games in 2024, but one of those was played in Germany.
Carolina’s home and away opponents -- in no particular order -- are listed below:
Home:
Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baltimore Ravens
Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Seattle Seahawks
Away:
Atlanta Falcons
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cleveland Browns
Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings
Philadelphia Eagles
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Panthers' 2026 schedule will be released on Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m.
The Panthers' 2026 schedule will be released on Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m.(Jacob Kupferman | AP)
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