TIME CHANGE: Bears vs. Lions Game Delayed Due to Snowstorm Impact in Chicago – Updated Game Information
The NFL is closely monitoring weather conditions ahead of the Week 18 matchup between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions, as a winter snowstorm system is forecast to impact the Chicago and greater Midwest region during the final weekend of the regular season.
While the game’s kickoff time has been officially locked by the NFL following late-December flex scheduling, league sources indicate that a short kickoff adjustment of up to 30 minutes (±30 minutes) remains possible if severe winter weather affects stadium operations, team logistics, or broadcast setup.

Game Information (Locked Schedule – Subject to Weather Monitoring)
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Week: Week 18 – 2025 NFL season
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Official Kickoff Time: 4:25 PM ET / 3:25 PM CT (subject to a possible ±30-minute adjustment)
Location: Soldier Field
Broadcast: FOX
(This is an afternoon window matchup, not a primetime game.)
Snowstorm Driving Time Change Monitoring
According to the latest updates from the National Weather Service, the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding Midwest are expected to experience a winter storm pattern that could include:
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Snowfall and wintry mix throughout Sunday
Below-freezing temperatures, increasing the risk of icy field and concourse conditions
Strong winds, particularly near Lake Michigan, potentially affecting visibility and operations
Travel disruptions impacting team arrival timing and broadcast crew setup
Forecast guidance suggests that periods of heavier snow may coincide with the afternoon hours, directly overlapping the scheduled kickoff window.
Why a 30-Minute Adjustment Remains Possible
NFL officials have emphasized that no date change and no broadcast re-assignment are planned. However, the 30-minute flexibility window allows the league to:
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Complete snow removal and field preparation safely
Manage stadium access for fans and staff
Avoid peak snowfall bands when feasible
Any delay would be purely operational and would not alter competitive balance or the FOX broadcast window.
Stakes of the Matchup
Bears vs. Lions in Week 18 carries significant NFC North and postseason implications, with potential impact on:
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Final divisional standings
Playoff seeding scenarios
Tiebreaker outcomes
Cold temperatures, snow, and wind would only reinforce the physical, grind-heavy identity typical of late-season football at Soldier Field.
Final Notes
As of now, kickoff remains set for 4:25 PM ET (3:25 PM CT) on FOX. However, the NFL may announce a brief kickoff delay of up to 30 minutes if winter weather conditions in Chicago materially affect stadium operations.
In a Week 18 game with real postseason consequences, even the clock is being treated as a variable.
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