It feels weird. For the first time in over a decade, the conversation around the kc chiefs next game isn't about which seed they'll lock up for the playoffs or who they’re hosting at Arrowhead in the Divisional Round. Instead, we’re looking at a calendar that stretches all the way into September 2026.
If you’ve been following the news out of Kansas City this January, you know the vibe is heavy. The 2025 season didn't just end; it collapsed. Losing Patrick Mahomes to that brutal ACL and LCL tear in December was the gut punch nobody saw coming. Now, after finishing 6-11 and missing the postseason for the first time since 2014, the "next game" is a long way off.
But for the Kingdom, the scouting starts now. Because of where they finished in the AFC West standings, the 2026 strength of schedule looks a lot different than the gauntlet they’ve run in years past.
The Long Wait for the KC Chiefs Next Game
Since the Chiefs were eliminated from playoff contention following that Week 15 loss to the Chargers, the focus shifted instantly to 2026. We don't have the exact dates or kickoff times yet—the NFL usually drops the full schedule in May—but we know exactly who they are playing.
Basically, the NFL's rotation means the AFC West draws the AFC East and the NFC West this coming year. That’s a massive storyline. You’ve got the 49ers coming to Arrowhead. You’ve got road trips to Buffalo and Miami. For a team trying to rebuild its identity while its superstar quarterback is in a Dallas rehab facility, this isn't exactly a "get right" schedule.
2026 Home Opponents
- Denver Broncos (The rivalry stays heated)
- Los Angeles Chargers (The team that essentially ended the Chiefs' 2025 hopes)
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Indianapolis Colts (Determined by the 3rd place finish)
2026 Road Trips
The Chiefs actually have a lopsided schedule this year with nine road games. That’s thanks to the 17-game rotation. They’ll be traveling to:
- Denver, LA (Chargers), and Las Vegas
- Buffalo Bills (Expect this to be a primetime slot)
- Miami Dolphins
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals (The "3rd place" matchup)
- Atlanta Falcons (The extra 17th game)
Will Patrick Mahomes Be Ready?
This is the only question that really matters to fans. Mahomes underwent surgery with Dr. Dan Cooper in Dallas back in mid-December. The typical timeline for an ACL and LCL reconstruction is roughly nine months.
If you do the math, that puts his return right around mid-September 2026.
Honestly, it’s going to be a race against the clock. Rick Burkholder, the Chiefs' VP of Sports Medicine, has been vocal about how Mahomes is "attacking" the rehab, but you can’t rush biology. If the kc chiefs next game is the season opener on September 10, there is a very real chance we see Gardner Minshew or a fresh face under center while Mahomes watches from the sideline.
Missing the playoffs was a shock to the system. Seven straight AFC Championship appearances? Gone. A decade-long postseason streak? Snapped. But looking at the 2025 stats, the defense actually held their weight, finishing 6th in points allowed (19.3 per game). The offense was the problem, stagnating at 21st in the league.
What to Watch During the Offseason
The road to the 2026 opener goes through the NFL Draft and free agency. With the Chiefs picking much higher than they are used to (inside the top 10 or 12 depending on the final tiebreakers), Brett Veach has a chance to reload.
Expect a lot of noise regarding the wide receiver room. Rashee Rice had his moments in 2025 before injuries thinned out the depth, and Xavier Worthy's speed is a weapon, but the consistency just wasn't there. They need a veteran presence to stabilize things while the QB situation is in flux.
Key Dates for Your Calendar:
- NFL Draft: Late April 2026. This is where the foundation for the next "dynasty" attempt starts.
- Schedule Release: Mid-May 2026. This is when we find out if the kc chiefs next game is a Monday night blockbuster or a Sunday 1 PM snooze-fest.
- Training Camp: Late July 2026 in St. Joseph. This will be the first time we see Mahomes (hopefully) dropping back in some capacity.
Why the Third-Place Schedule is a Silver Lining
There is a sort of "loser's bracket" benefit in the NFL. Because the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West, they don't have to play the first-place finishers from the other AFC divisions.
Instead of drawing the Ravens or the Texans, they get the Bengals and the Colts. Don't get me wrong, Joe Burrow is never an "easy" out, but Cincinnati also struggled with consistency in 2025. It’s a slightly softer landing for a team coming off a losing season.
The defense is still the backbone here. Steve Spagnuolo’s unit, led by Nick Bolton and George Karlaftis, remains elite. If they can maintain that top-10 defensive ranking into 2026, the Chiefs only need "average" quarterback play to stay competitive until #15 is 100% healthy.
Practical Steps for Chiefs Fans Now
If you are looking for the kc chiefs next game tickets or travel info, your best bet is to wait for the May schedule release before booking flights to Seattle or Atlanta. Historically, road games in the Pacific Northwest are among the most expensive for Chiefs fans.
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Keep an eye on the official injury reports coming out of the team facility in February. That’s usually when we get the "milestone" updates—like when a player moves from crutches to light jogging. That will be the true indicator of whether the 2026 season starts with a bang or a cautious limp.
The streak might be over, but the era isn't. This "down" year might just be the reset the franchise needed to figure out how to win without leaning solely on Mahomes' magic every single Sunday.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason:
- Monitor the NFL Draft order to see which tackle or receiver prospects the Chiefs are meeting with in the Top 15.
- Check the 96.5 The Fan or Chiefs.com updates in early March for news on Gardner Minshew’s status or potential veteran QB acquisitions.
- Wait for the May 2026 schedule drop before purchasing any secondary market tickets for the season opener.