Full Kansas City Chiefs Schedule for 2025 and 2026 Season Opponents

The official schedule for the 2026 Kansas City Chiefs season, including specific kickoff times and calendar dates, is currently unreleased. The NFL typically announces the full league schedule in mid-May each year; therefore, fans can expect the 2026 slate to be finalized around the second or third week of May 2026. However, based on the NFL’s rotational scheduling formula, the Chiefs' opponents for 2026 are already confirmed. In the meantime, the 2025 Kansas City Chiefs schedule is fully operational, featuring a historic season opener in Brazil and a record-tying seven primetime contests.

When will the 2026 Kansas City Chiefs schedule be released?

The NFL maintains a strict tradition for schedule reveals. The 2026 schedule is anticipated to drop in May 2026. This announcement covers all 17 regular-season games and the 3-game preseason schedule. Until that announcement occurs, the specific order of games, bye week placement, and primetime designations remain speculative.

For fans planning travel to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium or looking to book flights for away games in 2026, it is important to wait for the official league release before finalizing non-refundable arrangements. The season itself is expected to kick off on September 9, 2026, with the Hall of Fame Game preceding it on August 6, 2026.

Kansas City Chiefs 2026 home and away opponents

While dates are unknown, the "who" and "where" for 2026 are set. The Chiefs will play 17 regular-season games, nine of which will be hosted at home in 2026 as part of the NFL's alternating AFC/NFC home-game rotation.

2026 Home Opponents (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium)

• Denver Broncos: A staple AFC West rivalry.
• Las Vegas Raiders: The historic battle for divisional dominance.
• Los Angeles Chargers: Always a high-stakes divisional matchup.
• Arizona Cardinals: An interconference showdown with the NFC West.
• New England Patriots: A legacy matchup against an AFC East foe.
• New York Jets: A defensive test against a classic AFC opponent.
• San Francisco 49ers: A high-profile clash against one of the NFC's elite.
• Indianapolis Colts: A tactical battle against a familiar AFC South team.

2026 Away Opponents

• Denver Broncos: Facing the altitude at Mile High.
• Las Vegas Raiders: A trip to the desert.
• Los Angeles Chargers: A divisional road test in Southern California.
• Buffalo Bills: A modern-day AFC rivalry that often carries playoff implications.
• Cincinnati Bengals: A recurring high-powered offensive duel.
• Seattle Seahawks: One of the loudest environments in the NFL.
• Los Angeles Rams: A return to the West Coast.
• Miami Dolphins: A test of speed and climate in South Florida.
• Atlanta Falcons: An interconference trip to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Official 2025 Kansas City Chiefs regular season schedule

The 2025 season is one of the most ambitious in franchise history. The schedule features 10 games against 2024 playoff teams and seven primetime games, reflecting the Chiefs' status as a global NFL powerhouse.

Top games to watch in the 2025 season

The 2025 schedule is not just a list of games; it is a series of blockbuster events. Several matchups stand out due to their historical context and potential impact on the AFC standings.

The Brazil Opener: Week 1 at Los Angeles Chargers

In a historic first, the Chiefs open their season in São Paulo, Brazil. This is the NFL's first-ever game in South America and marks the first time a divisional matchup has been played internationally to open the season. Beyond the cultural significance, this is a vital AFC West battle. Starting 1-0 in the division while navigating the logistical challenges of an international flight will test the Chiefs' depth and preparation immediately.

The Super Bowl LIX Rematch: Week 2 vs Philadelphia Eagles

The home opener at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium features a massive heavyweight bout. Facing the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2 provides an early-season barometer for both teams. For the Chiefs, this is a chance to re-establish home-field dominance against a team with a potent defensive front and an explosive rushing attack. The atmosphere at Arrowhead for the 3:25 PM kickoff will be electric.

Thanksgiving in Dallas: Week 13 at Dallas Cowboys

Playing on Thanksgiving Day is a prestigious honor in the NFL. The Chiefs travel to "Jerry World" to take on the Dallas Cowboys. This marks the 11th time the Chiefs have played on Thanksgiving and their first since 2006. The national spotlight will be intensely focused on this matchup, which pits the Chiefs' innovative offensive schemes against a Cowboys team that traditionally performs well during the holiday window.

Christmas Day Clash: Week 17 vs Denver Broncos

For the third consecutive year, the Chiefs will play on Christmas Day. This matchup will air exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Divisional games late in the season often decide playoff seeding or divisional titles. With the Broncos looking to disrupt the Chiefs' decade-long AFC West streak, this holiday matchup carries significant weight.

Kansas City Chiefs 2025 preseason schedule

The preseason serves as a critical evaluation period for roster depth and developmental talent. The 2025 preseason schedule includes two road games and one final tune-up at home.

1. Week 1 (TBD): at Arizona Cardinals (Broadcast on KSHB)
2. Week 2 (TBD): at Seattle Seahawks (Broadcast on KSHB)
3. Week 3 (Friday, Aug 22, 7:20 PM): vs Chicago Bears (Broadcast on KSHB)

The final preseason game against the Chicago Bears will be the last opportunity for "bubble" players to earn a spot on the 53-man roster before the regular season begins in Brazil.

How to watch Chiefs games and streaming guide

The 2025 season features a fragmented broadcasting landscape, requiring fans to utilize multiple platforms to catch every game.

• YouTube: The Week 1 international game in Brazil will be broadcast live on YouTube. This is a unique shift from traditional cable or satellite providers for a season opener.
• NBC (Sunday Night Football): The Chiefs appear three times on Sunday Night Football (Weeks 3, 6, and 14).
• CBS & FOX: Most Sunday afternoon games will air on CBS (the primary AFC carrier), with the high-profile Eagles game in Week 2 airing on FOX.
• ESPN/ABC (Monday Night Football): The Chiefs have two Monday night appearances (Weeks 5 and 8).
• Prime Video: The Christmas Day game against the Broncos will be available exclusively on Amazon's streaming platform.
• NFL+: For fans in the local market, NFL+ offers streaming for mobile devices, while out-of-market fans typically rely on NFL Sunday Ticket (distributed by YouTube TV).

Understanding NFL flexible scheduling for late-season games

It is crucial to note that the dates and times for the latter half of the season are subject to the NFL’s "Flexible Scheduling" policy. This ensures that the most competitive matchups are moved into primetime slots.

• Sunday Night Football: Flexing can occur twice between Weeks 5-10 and at the NFL's discretion during Weeks 11-17.
• Monday Night Football: Flexing is available at the NFL’s discretion from Weeks 12-17.
• Thursday Night Football: Can be used up to twice between Weeks 13-17.
• Week 18: The final game against the Las Vegas Raiders remains "TBD" for date and time. The NFL waits until the conclusion of Week 17 to schedule Week 18 games to ensure matchups with playoff implications receive maximum exposure on Saturday and Sunday.

Summary of the Chiefs football schedule

The Kansas City Chiefs are navigating a 2025 schedule defined by high-profile primetime games and international travel. While the 2026 schedule dates remain unconfirmed until May 2026, we know the opponents will include the 49ers, Patriots, and Bills. The 2025 season kicks off on September 5 in Brazil against the Chargers and concludes in early January against the Raiders. Key highlights include seven primetime games, a Thanksgiving showdown in Dallas, and a Christmas Day home game against Denver.

FAQ

What time is the Chiefs game today? Kickoff times vary by week. Most Sunday games start at 12:00 PM, 3:25 PM, or 7:20 PM CT. Always check the official weekly schedule as "flex scheduling" may alter times for games between Weeks 5 and 17.

How can I buy Kansas City Chiefs tickets? Tickets for home games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium are available through the official Chiefs website and authorized ticket partners. Single-game tickets typically go on sale in mid-May following the schedule release.

Is the Chiefs game on TV today? Most Chiefs games are broadcast on CBS, NBC, or ESPN. However, special games like the Brazil opener (YouTube) and the Christmas game (Prime Video) require specific streaming subscriptions.

Who do the Chiefs play in the 2026 season? In 2026, the Chiefs will host the Broncos, Raiders, Chargers, Cardinals, Patriots, Jets, 49ers, and Colts. They will travel to play the Broncos, Raiders, Chargers, Bills, Bengals, Seahawks, Rams, Dolphins, and Falcons.

Why is the Week 18 game time TBD? The NFL leaves the final week of the season flexible to ensure that games determining playoff spots or divisional titles are played in the most prominent television windows. The exact time is usually announced 6 days before the game.