If you woke up this morning, grabbed your lucky red jersey, and started checking the spread for a playoff game, I’ve got some bad news. You might want to sit down. The Kansas City Chiefs do not play today, Sunday, January 18, 2026. Honestly, it feels weird. For the last several years, mid-January has basically been a national holiday in Kansas City. We’re used to Mahomes magic, Arrowhead Stadium shaking so hard it registers on seismographs, and the inevitable hunt for another AFC Championship trophy. But today? The schedule is quiet.
While the NFL Divisional Round is currently in full swing, the Chiefs are watching from home just like the rest of us. After a rocky 6-11 finish to the 2025-2026 regular season, Kansas City missed the postseason entirely—a sentence that still feels like a typo even as I write it.
Do KC play today? Breaking down the Sunday schedule
If you’re asking "do kc play today" because you follow more than just the gridiron, there is actually one "KC" team hitting the ice. The Kansas City Mavericks are scheduled to face off against the Utah Grizzlies. That puck drops at 3:10 PM MST (4:10 PM CST) at the Maverik Center in Utah. If you need a local sports fix, that’s your best bet.
But let’s be real. Most people asking this are looking for the Chiefs.
Usually, this weekend is the peak of the NFL calendar. Instead of the Chiefs, the national spotlight is on four other matchups. Today’s NFL slate features:
📖 Related: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (3:00 PM ET)
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (6:30 PM ET)
Yesterday, we already saw the Buffalo Bills take on the Denver Broncos and the 49ers face the Seahawks. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for KC fans seeing the Broncos representing the AFC West deep into January while the Chiefs are already looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft.
Why isn't Kansas City in the playoffs?
It’s the question everyone from Power & Light to Overland Park is still debating. How did a team with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid end up with a 6-11 record?
The short answer: Injuries and a grueling schedule. Patrick Mahomes underwent surgery in mid-December to repair the ACL and LCL ligaments in his left knee. Losing the best quarterback in the world is obviously a death blow, but the problems started before that. The offense struggled with consistency, and the defense, while flashes of the old "Spags" brilliance were there, just couldn't hold up under the weight of an imbalanced roster.
According to senior team reporter Matt McMullen, the team is already focusing on the 2026 campaign. Mahomes recently did a Zoom call from rehab, telling reporters he’s "hitting all the checkpoints" and aiming for a Week 1 return. But he also admitted it’s not a lock.
👉 See also: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
The 2026 Schedule: Who will the Chiefs play next?
Even though they aren't on the field today, we actually know who they’ll face in the 2026 season. The NFL scheduling formula is math-based, so while the exact dates won't be out until May, the opponents are set.
Home Games at Arrowhead:
- Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
- New England Patriots, New York Jets
- Indianapolis Colts
- Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers
Away Games:
- Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers
- Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks
- Atlanta Falcons
It’s not exactly a "get well soon" schedule. Playing the 49ers and the Bills? That's going to be a gauntlet.
✨ Don't miss: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
What about the other KC teams?
If you’re looking for the Kansas City Royals, you’ve still got about a month of winter to survive. Pitchers and catchers don't report for Spring Training until mid-February. Their first exhibition game isn’t until February 20, 2026, against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona.
As for the Kansas City Current, the NWSL just released their 2026 schedule a few days ago. The Current won't kick off their regular season until March 14, 2026, when they host the Utah Royals at CPKC Stadium.
So, basically, if you aren't watching hockey today, the Kansas City sports scene is in a bit of a dormant phase.
Actionable steps for the "off-season" Sunday
Just because the Chiefs aren't playing doesn't mean you have to stare at a blank screen. Here is how to handle a Sunday without KC football:
- Watch the Divisional Round: Even without the Chiefs, these games determine who will represent the AFC. Watching the Texans and Patriots might give you a glimpse of the new power structure in the conference.
- Track Mahomes' Rehab: Follow official team accounts for updates on Patrick’s knee. His recovery is the single most important factor for the 2026 season.
- Check out the Mavericks: If you’ve never watched the KC Mavericks, give it a shot. ECHL hockey is fast, physical, and a great way to scratch that competitive itch.
- Draft Prep: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs have a much higher draft pick than usual. It’s time to start looking at mock drafts and scouting reports for potential wide receiver or offensive line help.
It’s a weird feeling to have a "free" Sunday in January. Use it to catch up on sleep or maybe finally take down those Christmas lights that are still hanging on the porch. The Chiefs will be back, but for today, the kingdom is quiet.