Fans gathered at Halas Hall on Saturday, Aug. 1, for the Chicago Bears' first public training camp practice of 2026, according to ABC7 Chicago. The Lake Forest facility offered autographs, food vendors, and on-field football two weeks before the preseason opener.
The session doubled as "Kids Day" and part of the NFL's league-wide Back Together Weekend, with family-friendly games, a new fan scavenger hunt, and additional hospitality areas alongside the practice itself. A free ticket was required for entry.
It marked the first time this summer that anyone beyond media could watch the defending NFC North champions up close. The Bears reported to 1920 Football Drive on Tuesday, July 28, and held three closed practices before opening the gates.
What to watch on the field
Second-year head coach Ben Johnson enters camp pushing quarterback Caleb Williams toward a 70% completion rate after Williams finished last among NFL starters at 58.1% in 2025, according to Yahoo Sports. Williams told reporters after the July 29 practice that he dropped 10 to 15 pounds this offseason to sharpen his mobility.
"I'm excited about that, to be able to move a little bit better, be smoother," Williams said.
The numbers back the optimism. In Johnson's first season, Williams threw for nearly 4,000 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions while cutting his sacks from a league-worst 68 in 2024 to 24. The Bears won the NFC North, beat Green Bay in the Wild Card round, and pushed the Rams to the brink in the Divisional Round.
Williams returns alongside second-year weapons Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, plus receiver Rome Odunze and rookie wideout Zavion Thomas.
Remaining open practices
Seven more free sessions at Halas Hall follow Saturday's opener, according to the Bears' published camp schedule:
- Tuesday, Aug. 4
- Wednesday, Aug. 5
- Thursday, Aug. 6
- Saturday, Aug. 8 (Celebrating Women & Girls in Sports Day)
- Sunday, Aug. 9 (Vamos Bears Day)
- Thursday, Aug. 13
- Tuesday, Aug. 18
A Monday, Aug. 10, "Varsity Bears" practice moves to Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire. Two joint practices open to the public follow later in camp: Aug. 20 at Cincinnati and Aug. 27 at Tennessee.
This is the seventh year the Bears have trained at Halas Hall after 18 seasons at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais.
The preseason opener is Saturday, Aug. 15, at home against the Cleveland Browns.
