If you’re checking your phone right now to see if the Kansas City Chiefs are suiting up for a game this evening, I have some news that might be a bit of a letdown. No, Kansas City does not play today. It is Thursday, January 15, 2026. For most fans in the Kingdom, this date usually feels like the peak of high-stakes football. Usually, we’d be arguing about point spreads or which jersey to wear for a Divisional playoff round. But this year is... well, it’s different. The Chiefs’ 2025-2026 season actually ended on January 4, 2024, with a tough 14-12 loss to the Raiders.
Honestly, it’s a weird feeling. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, there’s no postseason run to stress over. No Patrick Mahomes magic to look forward to this weekend. Just a quiet January in the Ozarks and a lot of talk about the upcoming draft.
Why the Chiefs Aren't on the Field Today
The NFL regular season wrapped up about ten days ago. While the league is currently gearing up for the Super Wild Card Weekend and the subsequent playoff rounds, Kansas City finds themselves on the outside looking in.
It’s easy to get confused because the schedule is usually so packed this time of year. But the facts are pretty simple: the Chiefs finished their campaign at 8-9. That’s not a typo. For a team that has dominated the AFC West for a decade, missing the playoffs entirely is a massive shock to the system. Matt McMullen, the team’s senior reporter, recently noted that the team is already pivoting toward the 2026 season, which doesn't start until September.
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If you’re looking for a "Kansas City" team to root for right this second, you’re basically in a holding pattern. The sports landscape in the city is in that awkward mid-winter transition where the grass is brown and the stadium lights at Arrowhead are dimmed.
The NWSL Schedule Drop: A Silver Lining
While there isn't a game to watch today, something big actually did happen today for Kansas City sports fans. The Kansas City Current just released their full 2026 NWSL schedule. If you were searching for "does Kansas City play today" because you heard sports news on the radio, this is likely what you were hearing about. The Current announced a 30-match regular season today, Thursday, Jan 15. It’s a significant expansion for the league. While the ladies aren't playing a match this afternoon, the buzz is real because they’ll be kicking things off at CPKC Stadium on March 14 against the Utah Royals.
- Matchup: KC Current vs. Utah Royals
- Date: March 14, 2026
- Time: 3:00 p.m. CT
- Venue: CPKC Stadium
So, while there’s no live action on the pitch today, the roadmap for the spring just got a lot clearer.
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What About the Royals?
Maybe you’re a baseball fan who’s lost track of the months? Hey, it happens. If you're wondering about the Kansas City Royals, they are still deep in the offseason.
Spring Training for the Boys in Blue doesn't start for another month. Their first Cactus League game is scheduled for February 20, 2026, against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona. You’ve got a long wait before you hear the crack of a bat at Kauffman Stadium, as Opening Day isn't until March 26.
Essentially, the city is in a rare "dead zone." The Chiefs are done, the Royals are waiting for the desert sun, and the Current is still two months away from their first whistle.
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Common Misconceptions About the Schedule
People often assume that because Kansas City is a "football town," there must be something happening in January. Here is why that's a mistake this year:
- The Playoff Streak: We got spoiled. After years of hosting the AFC Championship, a lot of people just assume the Chiefs are playing every January.
- TV Listings: Sometimes local stations will replay "Classic Games" during the playoffs if the home team is out. If you see Mahomes on your TV today, check the scoreboard—it’s probably from 2023.
- The 17-Game Grind: The NFL schedule shifted a few years back, pushing the end of the season further into January. This makes the "off-weeks" feel even longer when your team doesn't make the cut.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Chiefs Season
Since there’s no game today, the next best thing is looking at who we will play. The NFL has already finalized the 2026 opponents, even if we don’t have the exact dates yet.
Kansas City will be hosting some heavy hitters at Arrowhead later this year. We're talking about the San Francisco 49ers coming to town, plus the Jets, the Patriots, and the usual divisional rivals like the Broncos and Raiders. It’s going to be a "revenge tour" sort of vibe. But again, that’s all months away.
Actionable Steps for the "Off" Season
Since you can't go to a game today, here is how you can stay plugged into the KC sports scene right now:
- Check the Current Schedule: Go to the official KC Current website and look at the single-match ticket release dates. Members get access tomorrow (Jan 16), and the general public can buy on Jan 20.
- Draft Prep: Start looking at the 2026 NFL Draft boards. Since the Chiefs finished 8-9, they have a much higher pick than they’ve had in years. It’s a good time to become an amateur scout.
- Royals Spring Training: If you’re planning a trip to Arizona, tickets for Surprise Stadium are already on sale. Prices are starting around 24 dollars for those early February games.
The bottom line is that the city is quiet today. No tailgates, no flyovers, no victory parades. It’s just a regular Thursday in mid-January. Take the day off, maybe watch some highlights of the 2024 Super Bowl, and get ready for the soccer season to bridge the gap until football returns this fall.