If you're looking for the Denver Broncos Chiefs game time, you’ve probably noticed the schedule looks a bit different than usual. We’re currently in the thick of the 2025-26 NFL postseason, and the usual twice-a-year slugfest between these AFC West rivals has already wrapped up for the regular season.
It was a wild ride. Honestly, if you told a Broncos fan three years ago that Denver would sweep Kansas City in 2025, they’d have asked what you were smoking. But here we are.
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The regular season wrap-up
The most recent showdown happened on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. That game kicked off at 8:15 p.m. ET (6:15 p.m. local time in Denver) and was broadcast nationally on Amazon Prime Video.
Denver walked away with a 20-13 victory at Arrowhead. It was cold. It was messy. It was exactly what you expect from December football in Missouri.
Before that, they met in Week 11 on November 16, 2025. That one was a late afternoon slot—4:25 p.m. ET—at Empower Field at Mile High. Denver took that one too, 22-19.
Where do they stand right now?
Right now, the Broncos are sitting pretty with a first-round bye in the playoffs. They’re actually preparing for a Divisional Round matchup against the Buffalo Bills this Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The Chiefs? Well, things got a bit rocky for Andy Reid’s squad this year. While they still have Patrick Mahomes, the roster depth took some hits, and they finished the season at 6-10. It’s the kind of season that makes a fan base start questioning everything, even with two Super Bowl rings in the recent past.
Why the game time keeps shifting
NFL scheduling isn’t just about putting a ball in the air. It’s about "flexing."
The league loves the Broncos-Chiefs matchup because of the history. However, because Denver became a powerhouse this season under Sean Payton and Bo Nix, and the Chiefs struggled, the networks moved things around.
- Week 11: Kept in the late afternoon "America’s Game of the Week" slot on CBS.
- Week 17: Locked into the Thursday Night Football Christmas special.
If you’re planning for the 2026 season, expect these games to stay in high-profile windows. The NFL usually releases the new schedule in mid-May. Typically, one game will land in the early window (1:00 p.m. ET) and the other will be a primetime or late-afternoon national broadcast.
The Bo Nix factor
You can't talk about these teams without talking about the quarterbacks. Bo Nix has basically turned Denver into a "must-watch" team again. He threw 29 touchdowns as a rookie, nearly breaking Justin Herbert’s record.
He plays with a weird kind of confidence. It’s not flashy like Mahomes, but it’s efficient. He’s the reason Denver is hosting playoff games in January 2026 while the Chiefs are watching from home.
Looking ahead to 2026
Since both teams are in the AFC West, we already know they’ll play twice in 2026. One game will be in Denver; one will be in Kansas City.
The dates aren't set yet. But, historically, the NFL likes to save one of these for the final three weeks of the season to ensure divisional drama.
What to do if you’re heading to the stadium:
- Check the Flex: If the game is on a Sunday after Week 5, the time can change with only 12 days' notice. Don't book non-refundable flights for Sunday morning if the game is Sunday night.
- Weather Proofing: Arrowhead and Mile High are brutal in December. If the game time is 8:15 p.m., the temperature will drop 20 degrees by halftime.
- Parking: Both stadiums have moved to almost entirely mobile parking passes. Don't just show up with a twenty-dollar bill.
The rivalry has shifted. For years, the Chiefs owned the Broncos—16 straight wins at one point. Now, Denver has won the last three. The dynamic has flipped, and that makes the 2026 game times even more valuable for TV networks.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the NFL Schedule Release in May 2026. That is the only time you will get the confirmed dates and initial kickoff times for the next season. If you are a season ticket holder or planning a trip, download the official Broncos or Chiefs app; they push notifications the second the "Flex" schedule moves a game from the afternoon to Sunday Night Football.