Chicago Bulls to Open 2026-27 Regular Season at Toronto Raptors

The 2026-27 NBA season is steadily approaching, and after learning the participants of the league's Christmas Day games and the NBA Cup schedule, the Chicago Bulls' complete slate has now finally been revealed.

Chicago's first matchup of the year will come up north, when the Bulls will travel to Canada to face the Toronto Raptors. The game will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21, with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. CT.

Toronto is a mighty foe for the Bulls to open the season against, but questions surround the team and its players. The Raptors' young core broke through last year with a 46-36 overall record, good enough for the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Led by All-Star and All-Defense forward Scottie Barnes, Toronto took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the opening round of the playoffs before suffering elimination.

On June 30, the Raptors agreed on a trade that would bring 2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, in exchange for sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft capital to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the deal was never finalized due to the league's ongoing investigation regarding Leonard and potential attempts by the Clippers to circumvent the salary cap.

Depending on the results of the investigation, which has been ongoing since Sep. 2025, Leonard could be suspended and the Clippers could face strict punishment. The trade remains unfinalized until the investigation is completed.

Leonard's status in Toronto completely changes the Raptors' outlook this season. If the trade goes through, the Raptors would go from an exciting, young team to an instant contender in the Eastern Conference. A defense led by Leonard, Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles would be one of the most fearsome units in the entire league.

The Raptors swept the Bulls in three meetings last season. With Chicago's roster in disarray from the trade deadline, the Raptors defeated the Bulls on Feb. 5, 123-107. Two weeks later, Toronto won again in the infamous Jaden Ivey benching game following the All-Star break, 110-101. The Raptors closed out the regular season series with a 139-109 thrashing of the Bulls on Mar. 18.

Following their opener in Toronto, the Bulls will face the Bucks in Milwaukee on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. CT. Chicago's first game at the United Center will be their third game overall, a 7:00 p.m. match against No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa and the Washington Wizards on Saturday, Oct. 24.