It happens every single year. You wake up on a Saturday or Sunday in mid-January, grab your coffee, and immediately start wondering what time is chiefs game so you can plan your wings, your couch real estate, and your entire afternoon. Usually, this is the time of year when Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce are deep in the hunt for another ring.
But if you’re looking for a kickoff time for today, January 15, 2026, I’ve got some tough news for you.
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The Kansas City Chiefs are officially on summer vacation. Well, winter vacation, technically. For the first time in what feels like a lifetime—specifically since 2014—the Chiefs missed the NFL playoffs. They wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign with a narrow 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders back on January 4th.
It feels weird, right? Arrowhead is quiet. No Red Friday. No Kingdom hype videos. Honestly, it’s a bit of a shock to the system for a fan base that has basically considered the AFC Championship Game an annual birthright.
What Time Is Chiefs Game? The 2026 Offseason Reality
Since there isn't a game today, let’s look at the "when" for the future. You've probably noticed that the Divisional Round of the playoffs is happening this weekend, but Kansas City ended their season with a 6-11 record. It was a grind of a year that saw the offense struggle to find that signature rhythm.
Even though they aren't on the field this week, the 2026 schedule is already taking shape behind the scenes. We don't have the exact kickoff times yet—the NFL usually drops those in May—but we know exactly who they are playing.
If you're already marking your calendar for the 2026 season opener, you're looking at early September. Traditionally, the NFL season kicks off the Thursday after Labor Day.
The 2026 Opponent List
When the Chiefs do return to the field, the schedule looks pretty brutal. Because of the way the NFL rotation works, they’ll be facing some heavy hitters next year.
- Home Games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, and the Indianapolis Colts.
- Away Games: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Cincinnati Bengals, and the Atlanta Falcons.
That trip to Atlanta is actually the "17th game" on the schedule, which alternates between home and away conferences. Since the NFC gets the extra home game in 2026, the Chiefs have to pack their bags for Georgia.
Why the Chiefs Aren't Playing Today
It's rare to ask what time is chiefs game in January and get "never" as an answer. But the 2025-2026 season was a perfect storm of injuries and transition. Travis Kelce is currently 36 and contemplating retirement, though the team just signed tight end Tre Watson to a reserve/future contract to bolster the room.
The final game on January 4th against the Raiders was a microcosm of the season. A lot of field goals, a late lead, and a heartbreaking 60-yard kick by Daniel Carlson at the buzzer to seal the loss.
So, while the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos are gearing up for their Divisional matchup on Saturday, and the Seahawks are prepping for the 49ers, the Chiefs are focused on the NFL Draft.
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Watching the Playoffs Without KC
If you’re a football junkie and just want to watch some football today, you’re actually a couple of days early for the next round of games. The NFL Divisional Round kicks off on Saturday, January 17th.
Here is what the schedule looks like for the teams that actually made the cut:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM EST.
- Saturday, Jan 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 PM EST.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots at 3:00 PM EST.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM EST.
It’s a weird lineup. Seeing the Bears and Patriots back in the Divisional hunt while the Chiefs sit at home is definitely not what the Vegas oddsmakers predicted back in August.
When Will We Know the 2026 Kickoff Times?
The question of what time is chiefs game will be much easier to answer in a few months. Historically, the NFL releases the full schedule with dates and times in the second week of May.
That’s when we’ll find out if the Chiefs get any primetime slots after a down year. Usually, the league loves putting Mahomes on Sunday Night Football, but with a 6-11 finish, they might see a few more 1:00 PM Sunday kickoffs than they're used to.
Honestly, the "break" might be good for them. This team has played more football than almost anyone else over the last five years. Those deep playoff runs take a physical toll.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans
Since there's no game to watch today, here is how you can stay locked in with the Kingdom during the quietest month of the year:
- Track the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on whether any of Andy Reid’s staff gets poached. Even in a losing season, Chiefs coordinators are often in high demand.
- Watch the Senior Bowl: It's happening on January 31st. This is where the Chiefs' scouts will be looking for the next breakout receiver or offensive lineman to protect Mahomes.
- Check the Salary Cap: With Kelce's future uncertain and several key defensive players hitting free agency, the "legal tampering" period in March is going to be more important than any game they played this year.
The hunt for the 2026-2027 season starts now. It’s not the January we wanted, but the road back to the Super Bowl usually starts with a very long, very quiet offseason.