The rivalry between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears is the oldest and most storied in the National Football League. First contested in 1921, these two franchises have met over 200 times, producing moments that define the NFL’s history and culture. More than just a football game, this matchup represents a clash of identities—small-town grit versus big-city swagger, frozen Wisconsin tundra against the windy shores of Lake Michigan. Every season, fans on both sides circle the dates, knowing that victory carries weight far beyond the standings.

Historical Origins: The Birth of a Rivalry

The roots of the Packers–Bears rivalry trace back to the early days of professional football. The Bears were founded in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys before moving to Chicago and renaming themselves in 1922. The Packers joined the NFL in 1921 after George Halas, the Bears’ legendary founder and player-coach, helped secure the franchise’s admission. Halas and Packers founder Curly Lambeau built two of the league’s most iconic organizations, and their personal competitiveness set the tone for decades of hostility.

Their first meeting on November 27, 1921, ended in a 7–6 Packers victory. At the time, the NFL was a fledgling league struggling for respect. The matchup quickly became a annual tradition, with both teams often fighting for the top of the standings. During the 1930s and 1940s, the Bears dominated behind Halas and stars like Bronko Nagurski and Sid Luckman, while the Packers responded behind Lambeau’s innovative passing attack and players like Don Hutson. The rivalry was not just regional—it was a battle for league supremacy.

Memorable Games That Defined the Rivalry

Over 100 years, countless games have left their mark. Here are some of the most defining moments.

The 1932 NFL Championship Game

The Bears defeated the Packers 9–0 in a game played indoors at Chicago Stadium due to a blizzard. The field was only 80 yards long, and the muddy conditions turned the game into a defensive slog. Bears fullback Bronko Nagurski’s toughness stood out, and the victory gave Chicago its second NFL title in three years. This game intensified the hatred between the two clubs—Green Bay felt they were robbed of a chance to play on a neutral or better surface.

The 1941 Western Division Playoff

With both teams tied atop the division at 10–1, a playoff was required. The Bears dismantled the Packers 33–14 at Wrigley Field, then went on to win the NFL Championship. That game marked the first playoff meeting in the rivalry’s history. Sid Luckman threw three touchdown passes, and the Bears’ defense smothered Green Bay. It was a painful reminder for Packers fans that their team was still a step behind.

The 1963 Western Conference Playoff

Fast-forward to the Lombardi era. The Packers and Bears met in a conference playoff on December 27, 1963. The Bears took a 10–7 lead on a field goal by Roger LeClerc, but the Packers stormed back with a 21-point second half, winning 28–10. Green Bay went on to win the NFL Championship, their first title under Vince Lombardi. The game was especially sweet for Packers fans because it came against their archrival and on the way to a championship.

The 1980s: William “The Refrigerator” Perry and the 1985 Bears

The 1985 Bears remain one of the most dominant teams in NFL history. Their rivalry with the Packers reached its apex that season. In a Monday Night Football game on December 2, 1985, the Bears crushed the Packers 27–10, with defensive tackle William “The Refrigerator” Perry scoring a touchdown on offense. The game is remembered as much for the Bears’ swagger as for Perry’s iconic run. It was a low point for Green Bay, but it fueled a rebuilding effort that would eventually lead to the Favre era.

The 2010 NFC Championship Game

No game in recent memory captures the rivalry’s intensity more than the 2010 NFC Championship. The Bears hosted the Packers at Soldier Field with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. Green Bay won 21–14 behind Aaron Rodgers and a defense that intercepted Jay Cutler three times. The game featured a controversial injury to Cutler, who left with a knee injury and was criticized for not staying in the game. For Packers fans, it was sweet redemption after years of Bears dominance in the 1980s. The Packers went on to win Super Bowl XLV.

2018 NFL Kickoff Game

The 2018 season opener at Lambeau Field featured a surprising twist. The Bears, led by new head coach Matt Nagy and a Khalil Mack trade that sent shockwaves through the league, played the Packers close. Mack had a strip-sack early, but Aaron Rodgers led a furious second-half comeback on a broken left knee. The Packers won 24–23 on a late touchdown pass to Randall Cobb. The game exemplified Rodgers’ ability to will his team to victory, and it reignited the rivalry for the modern era.

Key Figures: Players and Coaches Who Shaped the Rivalry

No rivalry is defined solely by games. The personalities on both sides have left an indelible mark.

Chicago Bears Icons

  • George Halas: The “Papa Bear” was both founder and coach. He coached the Bears for 40 seasons and shaped the rivalry from the start. Halas and Lombardi famously respected one another but competed fiercely.
  • Walter Payton: “Sweetness” terrorized the Packers for 11 seasons. He rushed for over 1,800 yards against Green Bay, including a memorable 1986 game where he scored four touchdowns.
  • Mike Ditka: As a player and later a coach, Ditka embodied Bears toughness. His 1985 Super Bowl team remains the benchmark. Ditka’s bold personality and hatred for the Packers made the rivalry personal.
  • Brian Urlacher and Dick Butkus: Two iconic middle linebackers who anchored Bears defenses. Butkus was a feared hitter; Urlacher was the face of the 2000s revival. Both players despised the Packers and made sure their teams did too.
  • Khalil Mack: Acquired in a 2018 trade, Mack immediately changed the rivalry’s dynamic, pressuring Rodgers and forcing turnovers. His presence gave Bears fans hope of a new era.

Green Bay Packers Icons

  • Curly Lambeau: The founder and first coach. Lambeau’s vision turned a small-town team into a powerhouse. His battles with Halas laid the foundation.
  • Vince Lombardi: The man whose name graces the Super Bowl trophy. Lombardi’s Packers dominated the 1960s, winning five championships, including multiple wins over the Bears. His obsession with execution made Green Bay feared.
  • Brett Favre: The gunslinger defined the 1990s and early 2000s. Favre owned the Bears, compiling a 22–10 record against them. His two MVP seasons included signature moments like the 1995 Monday night game where he threw for 336 yards and five touchdowns.
  • Aaron Rodgers: Perhaps the most dominant quarterback in the rivalry’s history. Rodgers posted a 24–5 record against the Bears, with a 107.0 passer rating. His “We still own you” taunt after the 2014 season underscored the Packers’ recent dominance.
  • Reggie White: The “Minister of Defense” joined the Packers in 1993 and immediately elevated the defense. His sack of Bear’s quarterback Erik Kramer in 1994 helped Green Bay claim the division.

The Cultural Divide: Wisconsin vs. Illinois

The rivalry is rooted in geography and identity. Green Bay is a small city of roughly 100,000, with a team that is community-owned. Chicago is a global metropolis of nearly three million, with a team owned by the McCaskey family. The Packers represent blue-collar values: hard work, loyalty, and heritage. The Bears represent urban power, media attention, and commercial heft.

Wisconsin’s pride is tied to the Packers. Fans are known for their devotion—thousands camp out in driveways during games, and the team’s stock offering makes every fan a co-owner. In Illinois, the Bears are one of several major sports franchises, but the rivalry with Green Bay transcends sports. It’s a way of claiming superiority over a smaller rival. Wisconsinites view Bears fans as arrogant; Chicagoans view Packers fans as provincial. This mutual disdain fuels the electricity of every game.

Fan Traditions and Game Day Atmosphere

Attending a Packers–Bears game is a bucket-list experience for NFL fans, whether at Lambeau Field or Soldier Field.

Lambeau Field: The Frozen Tundra

Packers fans tailgate in the parking lot with bratwursts, cheese curds, and local beer. The “Lambeau Leap” is a tradition where players jump into the stands after touchdowns. The crowd noise is deafening, especially during cold-weather games in December and January. Cheeseheads—foam hats shaped like a giant wedge of cheese—are everywhere. The atmosphere is one of family and community, but also of fierce pride.

Soldier Field: The Lakefront Fortress

Bears fans tailgate along the lakefront, grilling Italian beef sandwiches and listening to rock music. The “Bear Raid” siren blares when the team takes the field. Fans wave orange and navy flags. The field is notoriously difficult for opposing teams because of wind and noise. Bears fans are raucous and passionate, with a deep knowledge of the rivalry. “Beat the Packers” chants echo through the stands.

Common traditions include wearing team colors (green and gold vs. navy and orange), trash-talking on social media, and betting on the outcomes. Many families are split between loyalties, leading to annual holiday arguments.

The Modern Era and Continuing Intensity

The rivalry remains one of the NFL’s most anticipated annual events. In the 2020s, the landscape has shifted. Aaron Rodgers left the Packers after the 2022 season, handing the reins to Jordan Love. The Bears, after a series of rebuilding efforts, selected quarterback Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 draft. The balance of power is being contested all over again.

Recent matchups have been tight: the 2023 season finale saw the Packers beat the Bears 17–9 to clinch a playoff berth, further extending Green Bay’s dominance. But the Bears are on the rise with a young roster. Their Week 1 game in 2024 at Soldier Field ended in a Bears victory, giving fans hope that the tides are turning. Every game now has playoff implications, and the national broadcasts draw huge ratings.

The rivalry’s meaning transcends records. Even when one team is rebuilding, the intensity remains. Players understand the history—there are constant reminders of past legends. Coaches emphasize the significance to bench players. The rivalry is passed down through generations.

Why This Rivalry Matters

The Packers–Bears rivalry is the NFL’s longest continuous rivalry, with over 200 games played. It has witnessed the evolution of the sport: from leather helmets to modern passing attacks. It has featured the greatest names in football history. It embodies the essence of competition: two franchises with contrasting cultures, fighting for a championship and for bragging rights over territory.

For fans, it is personal. It’s about growing up in a household that bleeds navy and orange or green and gold. It’s about holiday dinners where family members scream at each other over a touchdown. It’s about the shared experience of watching a game that means more than just a win—it’s about pride, history, and identity.

The NFL recognizes the rivalry’s value, frequently scheduling it for primetime slots. NFL History records show that these games often draw the highest television ratings. The Pro Football Hall of Fame honors the rivalry’s contributions to the league. ESPN’s rivalry rankings consistently place it among the top three in NFL history.

As long as the NFL exists, the Packers and Bears will meet twice a year. Each game adds another chapter to a century-old story. The intensity never fades—it only grows. For football fans, there is nothing better than a cold Sunday afternoon when the Bears come to Lambeau or the Packers visit Soldier Field. That is the power of the NFL’s greatest rivalry.