The Bears and the NFL will kick off their 100th season with a party in Chicago, and the Packers are invited.
The league announced the Bears will host the Packers at Soldier Field in the NFL's season opener at 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5 on NBC.
That prime-time spot customarily is reserved for the reigning Super Bowl champion to raise its banner and host a game. But the league has long considered its 100th season kickoff a special occasion, said Hans Schroeder, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NFL Media.
"We're really celebrating the Bears, who were also one of the original member clubs and are celebrating their 100th season; as well as Green Bay, which celebrated its 100th season last year," Schroeder said Monday at the NFL league meetings.
"Really an iconic matchup. Two traditionally great longtime NFL teams and a great way for our fans to really kick off what should be a season-long celebration of the 100th season."
"As an organization, we are thrilled to be kicking off the 100th season of football in the NFL," Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey said in a statement. "As a charter franchise, we cannot think of a better way to begin our centennial season by hosting our longtime rival in prime time at Soldier Field."
This is the first time since 2006 that the defending Super Bowl champion won't begin its season as part of the Thursday night showcase.
Schroeder and Brian Rolapp, the NFL's chief business and media officer, dismissed the notion that they bumped the Super Bowl champion Patriots from the Thursday night opener because a segment of the public might be tired of the six-time Super Bowl champion Patriots. The Patriots, they said, will host the Sunday night opener.
The NFL has scheduled a news conference for 6 p.m. Monday to share more details about the kickoff game festivities.
