Jim Cornelison Sang the National Anthem at the Bears Game Today — Here’s Why Chicago Knows That Voice
If you’re asking “who sang the national anthem today at the Bears game,” the answer is Jim Cornelison. He performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the Chicago Bears’ game at Soldier Field on Sunday, January 18, 2026, a choice that immediately made sense to local fans: Cornelison’s voice is one of the most recognizable in Chicago sports.
The spike in searches for “jim cornelison national anthem,” “bears national anthem,” and “who sang the national anthem at the bears game today” comes down to two things: the moment felt big, and the singer has a long history delivering high-pressure anthems in front of massive Chicago crowds.
Who Is Jim Cornelison?
Jim Cornelison is a professional vocalist best known as the longtime anthem singer at Chicago Blackhawks home games. He’s often described as a dramatic tenor with a powerful, operatic delivery, and his style has become a tradition for many Chicago sports fans.
Even if you’ve never watched a hockey game, you’ve probably heard his voice in viral clips: the sustained notes, the crowd energy, and the “this feels like an event” atmosphere are his trademark.
Why Was Jim Cornelison Singing at a Chicago Bears Game?
Cornelison isn’t a one-sport anthem singer. Over the years, he has also performed the national anthem at Chicago Bears home games—especially for major moments when the team wants a distinctly Chicago sound in the building.
That’s why it’s not unusual to see searches like:
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“jim cornelison bears”
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“bears national anthem”
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“jim.cornelison”
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“chicago bears national anthem today”
When the Bears host a high-profile matchup at Soldier Field, bringing in Cornelison is a way to tap into a familiar local tradition and raise the pregame intensity.
What Made Today’s Performance Trend So Fast?
Three factors tend to push an anthem moment into “everybody’s talking about it” territory:
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The setting: Soldier Field is visually iconic, and winter football adds drama instantly.
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The stakes: Big games make pregame ceremonies feel amplified, even for viewers at home.
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Cornelison’s style: His approach is big, sustained, and built for arenas and stadiums. It translates on TV and hits even harder in person.
When those pieces line up, the anthem becomes more than a formality. It becomes part of the night’s identity, which is why fans immediately started asking who the singer was.
Is Jim Cornelison the Bears’ Regular Anthem Singer?
Not exactly. The Bears use a variety of performers across the season. Cornelison is more like a “special-occasion” option who already carries credibility with Chicago fans because of his long-running presence at major sporting events.
That’s also why some people get confused and ask if the singer is “the Blackhawks guy.” In many cases, yes: it’s the same Jim Cornelison.
Quick Answer for Every Version of the Question
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Who sang the national anthem today? Jim Cornelison.
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Who sang the national anthem at the Bears game today? Jim Cornelison.
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Bears national anthem singer today? Jim Cornelison.
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Jim Cornelison national anthem Bears? Yes—he performed it at Soldier Field on January 18, 2026.
Cornelison’s appeal is simple: when Chicago wants the anthem to feel like a moment, they call a voice that already feels like home.
