The Green Bay Packers and rival Chicago Bears will open up the 2019 NFL season Sept. 5.
The NFL’s 100th season will kick off with @packers at @ChicagoBears on Thursday September 5th, 2019! #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/aGvs22AvNe
— NFL (@NFL) March 25, 2019
The announcement came Monday from Hans Schroeder, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of NFL Media, at the league's Annual Meeting in Phoenix.
Traditionally, the Super Bowl champions from the previous season host the inaugural game to start the season, but the NFL has made an exception ahead of its 100th season.
The Bears will host the Packers at Soldier Field in Week 1, making it the second straight season the two teams face off to start the year.
The game will be played the Thursday before the first Sunday of the season on NBC. The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will play on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 1 and hoist their banner ahead of the game.
