The full NFL schedule won’t be released until Thursday, May 14, but some details about the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2026 schedule have already started to leak. And fans are getting an early look at what could be a challenging season for the Chiefs after their 6-11 finish in 2025.
Kansas City enters the season with one of the league’s toughest schedules based on opponents’ combined win percentage from last year. The Chiefs will face familiar AFC West rivals twice each while also drawing matchups against teams from the AFC East and NFC West as part of the NFL’s rotating divisional format.
The NFL has already confirmed that the Chiefs will open the season in prime time against the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football.”
Chiefs 2026 Schedule Includes AFC East & NFC West Matchups
The Chiefs’ 2026 schedule features six divisional games against the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Kansas City will also play every team from the AFC East and NFC West divisions during the upcoming season. Those divisions combined for strong records during the 2025 season, adding another challenge to the Chiefs’ path back to playoff contention.
Because the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West last season, they picked up additional matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, and Atlanta Falcons through the NFL’s scheduling formula.
Kansas City will play nine road games this season after AFC teams hosted nine home games during the 2025 campaign.
Chiefs Home Games for 2026 Season
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- San Francisco 49ers
Chiefs Away Games for 2026 Season
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
Chiefs vs. Broncos to Open ‘Monday Night Football’
The NFL announced that Kansas City will open the regular season against the Broncos during the premiere of “Monday Night Football.”
How to Watch the Chiefs vs Broncos in Week 1
- Opponent: Denver Broncos
- Where: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri
- When: Sept. 14, 2026
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, NFL+
The matchup marks another prime-time opener for the Chiefs, who have regularly appeared in marquee standalone games in recent years.
This year’s opener carries additional intrigue because Denver ended Kansas City’s nine-season run atop the AFC West last season. Head coaches Andy Reid and Sean Payton will meet in a game that could immediately shape the early AFC West race.
Patrick Mahomes’ Injury Status Could Be a Major Chiefs Storyline for 2026
One of the biggest storylines entering the season centers around Patrick Mahomes and his recovery from the ACL and LCL injuries he suffered in Week 15 last season.
Mahomes, a two-time AP NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP, is expected to push for a return in time for the opener, though his official status remains uncertain ahead of training camp.
Meanwhile, Denver quarterback Bo Nix is expected to return from the ankle injury he suffered during the Broncos’ AFC Divisional Round victory over the Bills last postseason.
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