Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders Explained (Simply): Where to Catch the Action

Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders Explained (Simply): Where to Catch the Action

The rivalry is real. When the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders step onto the grass, the atmosphere changes. It’s gritty. It’s loud. Whether you are a member of the Kingdom or part of the Black Hole, missing a single snap isn’t an option.

But honestly, keeping track of where the game is actually playing can be a total headache. One week it’s on a local channel, the next it’s buried on a streaming service you forgot you subscribed to.

If you're looking for where to watch Kansas City Chiefs vs Las Vegas Raiders, the answer usually boils down to your location and your device. For the 2025-2026 season, these AFC West matchups have largely been the property of CBS.

The CBS and Paramount+ Connection

Most Sunday afternoon games for these two teams live on CBS. It’s the traditional home for the AFC. If you have a digital antenna and live in the right market, you're golden. Just tune in and watch.

But what if you've ditched cable? Or what if you're stuck in an airport?

Paramount+ is the easiest digital workaround. Because it carries the live CBS feed, you can stream the game directly on your phone or smart TV. You basically just need the "Essential" plan to get the NFL on CBS, though the "With SHOWTIME" tier also works. It's a lifesaver when the local broadcast is blacked out on other platforms.

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What Most People Get Wrong About Blackouts

There is a common misconception that if you buy a streaming package, you get every game. That's just not how the NFL works.

If the Chiefs are playing the Raiders and it's being broadcast on your local CBS affiliate, "out-of-market" tools like NFL Sunday Ticket won't let you watch it. They literally block the stream because they want you to watch the local broadcast. It’s frustrating. You’ve paid all this money for a premium service only to see a "not available in your area" message.

If you are "in-market" (meaning you live in Kansas City, Las Vegas, or surrounding regions), your best bets are:

  • A local CBS station (Channel 5 in KC, Channel 8 in Vegas).
  • Paramount+ (Mobile or TV).
  • The NFL+ App (This only works on mobile devices and tablets for live games).

Watching from Outside the Market

If you’re a Raiders fan living in New York or a Chiefs fan in Florida, your situation is different. You won’t see the game on your local CBS channel unless it’s the "Game of the Week."

In this case, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV is your only official way to see every single out-of-market Sunday afternoon game. It's expensive. I get it. But for the die-hard fan who needs to see every Mahomes no-look pass or every Raiders defensive stand, it’s the only way to avoid the "broadcast map" lottery.

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The broadcast maps come out every Wednesday during the season. 506 Sports is a great resource to check those. They show exactly which parts of the country will see which games. If your city isn't in the "Chiefs-Raiders" color zone, you'll need the Ticket.

Prime Time and Special Windows

Sometimes the schedule makers get fancy. We saw this in the 2025 season with games landing on Christmas Day or Thursday nights.

  1. Thursday Night Football: These games are exclusive to Amazon Prime Video. You won't find them on CBS or FOX.
  2. Monday Night Football: These live on ESPN or ABC. If it's on ABC, you can usually catch it with an antenna.
  3. Special Holidays: The NFL has been experimenting with Netflix and Amazon for holiday games. For example, the Broncos-Chiefs game on Christmas 2025 was an Amazon exclusive.

If the Raiders and Chiefs get flexed into a Sunday Night spot, you’ll need to head over to NBC or stream it on Peacock.

International Streaming Options

For fans outside the United States, the rules change again. NFL Game Pass International (distributed via DAZN in most regions) is actually much better than what we have in the States. It doesn't have the same blackout restrictions for most games.

In Mexico, the games often air on NFL Game Pass, while fans in Australia and New Zealand usually tune in through the same platform on Monday mornings due to the time difference.

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Technical Tips for a Better Stream

There is nothing worse than the stream buffering right as someone crosses the goal line. If you are streaming via Paramount+ or YouTube TV, try to hardwire your connection.

Use an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi is fine for scrolling, but for live 4K or high-bitrate sports, it can be flaky. Also, if you’re using the NFL+ app, remember that it doesn’t allow "casting" to your TV for live regular-season games. It’s a mobile-only experience for a reason—the league wants to protect those big-screen TV deals.

Final Logistics

The most recent matchup in early January 2026 saw the Raiders pull off a tight 14-12 victory at Allegiant Stadium. These games are almost always high-stakes, even if the playoff picture is already set.

To ensure you are ready for the next kickoff:

  • Download the Paramount+ app and verify your local station is showing up.
  • Check the NFL 506 maps on Wednesday to see if you're in the coverage zone.
  • Keep your NFL+ subscription active if you plan on watching while away from a TV.
  • Verify your Amazon Prime login if the game falls on a Thursday.

Stay updated on the official team apps for the Chiefs and Raiders. They often provide live radio streams if you're stuck in the car and can't get to a screen.