The San Francisco 49ers lead the Chicago Bears 37-33-1 in their all-time series, including a 3-0 postseason record. Their most recent meeting was December 28, 2025, when San Francisco defeated Chicago 42-38 at Levi’s Stadium. The teams are not scheduled to play each other during the 2026 regular season.
Key Takeaways
- The 49ers lead the all-time series 37-33-1.
- San Francisco is 3-0 against Chicago in the postseason.
- The latest meeting was a 42-38 49ers victory on December 28, 2025.
- Brock Purdy threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns in the 2025 matchup.
- The 49ers and Bears do not have a regular-season matchup on their 2026 schedules.
Are the 49ers and Bears Playing in 2026?
No. The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears are not scheduled to meet during the 2026 NFL regular season.
As of October 7, 2026, San Francisco is 4-0 after opening the season with wins over the Rams, Dolphins, Cardinals and Broncos. The 49ers’ upcoming schedule includes Seattle, Washington, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Dallas, Minnesota, Seattle, the New York Giants, the Rams, the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City and Philadelphia, among others. Chicago is also off to a strong start at 3-1, with its next game against Green Bay.
The teams’ schedules explain why there is no 2026 matchup. The 49ers’ NFC North opponent this season is Minnesota, while Chicago’s 2026 schedule does not include San Francisco.
That means fans searching for 49ers vs Bears 2026 are generally looking for one of two things: the latest information about the rivalry or confirmation of whether the teams will meet this season.
49ers vs Bears: Latest Game
The most recent 49ers vs Bears game took place on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
San Francisco won a high-scoring Sunday Night Football matchup 42-38. The game was particularly important because both teams were competing near the top of the NFC standings late in the season. The NFL later ranked the contest among the best games of the 2025 regular season.
The Bears actually entered the game with an 11-4 record, while the 49ers were 11-4 before their Week 17 matchup. San Francisco ultimately improved to 12-4 with the victory.
The game featured big plays throughout and remained competitive into the fourth quarter.
49ers vs Bears Recent Results
Here are the most recent meetings between San Francisco and Chicago:
| Date | Winner | Score | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 28, 2025 | 49ers | 42-38 | Levi’s Stadium |
| Dec. 8, 2024 | 49ers | 38-13 | Levi’s Stadium |
| Sept. 11, 2022 | Bears | 19-10 | Soldier Field |
| Oct. 31, 2021 | 49ers | 33-22 | Soldier Field |
| Dec. 23, 2018 | Bears | 14-9 | Levi’s Stadium |
| Dec. 3, 2017 | 49ers | 15-14 | Soldier Field |
| Dec. 4, 2016 | Bears | 26-6 | Soldier Field |
| Dec. 6, 2015 | 49ers | 26-20 OT | Soldier Field |
San Francisco has won the two most recent meetings, beating Chicago 38-13 in 2024 and 42-38 in 2025. Before that, the Bears won the 2022 meeting 19-10.
The recent history shows why this matchup is more competitive than the overall record might suggest. Both teams have traded wins across different eras, even though San Francisco currently holds the series advantage.
All-Time 49ers vs Bears Record
The 49ers lead the overall series 37-33-1 after 71 games. That total includes both regular-season and postseason meetings.
Regular-Season Record
In regular-season games, San Francisco leads 34-33-1.
The series dates back to 1950, when the 49ers first met the Chicago Bears. The two teams played frequently during the early years of the NFL, creating a long history that spans several generations of players and coaches.
The teams have also experienced very different periods of dominance. Chicago controlled portions of the early series, while San Francisco has had several strong stretches during its successful eras.
Postseason Record
The postseason record is much more one-sided.
The 49ers are 3-0 against the Bears in playoff games. Combined with their regular-season record, those three postseason wins give San Francisco its current 37-33-1 overall advantage.
This distinction matters because simply looking at the overall record does not show how dominant San Francisco has been when these teams have met in the playoffs.
2025 49ers vs Bears Game Recap
The 2025 meeting was easily one of the most memorable recent games in this series.
San Francisco won 42-38 behind an efficient performance from quarterback Brock Purdy. Purdy completed 24 of 33 passes for 303 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. His performance helped the 49ers produce enough offense to survive Chicago’s 38-point effort.
The Bears were led by Caleb Williams, who passed for 330 yards and two touchdowns. Chicago also received two rushing touchdowns from D’Andre Swift, while rookie receiver Luther Burden III had eight catches for 138 yards and a touchdown.
For San Francisco, Christian McCaffrey was a major factor on the ground. He finished with 140 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
The game was eventually decided by San Francisco’s ability to make enough plays on offense while holding off Chicago’s comeback attempts.
Brock Purdy vs. Caleb Williams
The quarterback matchup added another layer to the game.
Purdy entered the contest as an established starter in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, while Williams was continuing to develop as the Bears’ franchise quarterback. Williams produced 330 passing yards, but San Francisco’s offense generated the points it needed to win.
The result also demonstrated an important feature of the 49ers-Bears matchup: strong quarterback play can quickly turn this traditionally physical NFC matchup into a high-scoring game.
Christian McCaffrey’s Impact
McCaffrey’s running performance was one of San Francisco’s biggest advantages.
His 140 rushing yards gave the 49ers a dependable way to control the game on the ground. That helped keep Chicago’s defense under pressure while opening opportunities for Purdy and the passing game.
The combination of an effective rushing attack and efficient quarterback play has historically been one of the strongest formulas for San Francisco.
Why the 49ers-Bears Matchup Matters
The 49ers and Bears are not traditional divisional rivals because San Francisco plays in the NFC West while Chicago plays in the NFC North.
However, both are historic NFC franchises, and their series stretches back to the early years of the NFL. Their meetings have included regular-season battles, playoff games and several close finishes.
The matchup can also become especially important when both teams are competing for NFC playoff positioning. That was exactly what happened in December 2025, when the teams met late in the season with major postseason implications. The NFL later described the game as one of the standout contests of the year.
49ers vs Bears: What to Know in 2026
For fans searching for the matchup during the 2026 season, the most important point is simple: there is no 49ers vs Bears regular-season game scheduled for 2026.
San Francisco began October with a 4-0 record after defeating Denver 24-14 in Week 4. Chicago also entered the week at 3-1 after beating the New York Jets 23-12.
The Bears’ next scheduled game is against the Green Bay Packers on October 11, while the 49ers travel to Seattle for their Week 5 game.
So, if you are looking for a 2026 49ers-Bears score, there is currently no regular-season score to report. The latest completed meeting remains San Francisco’s 42-38 win in December 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the last 49ers vs Bears game?
The San Francisco 49ers won the latest meeting, defeating the Chicago Bears 42-38 on December 28, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium. Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes, while Christian McCaffrey rushed for 140 yards and a touchdown.
What is the all-time 49ers vs Bears record?
The 49ers lead the all-time series 37-33-1 after 71 games. San Francisco also owns a perfect 3-0 record against Chicago in the postseason. The regular-season series is much closer at 34-33-1 in favor of the 49ers.
Are the 49ers and Bears playing in 2026?
No. San Francisco and Chicago are not scheduled to play each other during the 2026 regular season. Their 2026 schedules contain different NFC opponents.
Where was the last 49ers vs Bears game played?
The latest game was played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on December 28, 2025. San Francisco won 42-38 in a Sunday Night Football matchup.
Have the 49ers and Bears played in the playoffs?
Yes. The teams have met three times in the postseason, and San Francisco has won all three playoff meetings. Those victories are included in the 49ers’ 37-33-1 overall series advantage.
Who has more wins, the 49ers or Bears?
The 49ers have more wins. San Francisco leads the overall series 37-33-1. The margin is relatively small across 71 total meetings, but the 49ers have a much stronger postseason record against Chicago.
Conclusion
The 49ers vs Bears matchup has a long NFL history, with 71 meetings between the two franchises. San Francisco currently leads the overall series 37-33-1 and has won all three postseason meetings.
The latest chapter came in December 2025, when the 49ers defeated the Bears 42-38 in a high-scoring game at Levi’s Stadium. There is no 49ers-Bears regular-season game on the 2026 schedule, so fans looking for the matchup this season will need to look back at the 2025 meeting or wait for a future scheduling cycle.
I am Laura Wordsmith, a language enthusiast who loves exploring English vocabulary, synonyms, and word meanings. I write clear and helpful guides to make English easier for students, writers, and curious learners around the world.
