Let’s be real for a second. If you’re looking for a list of games for the Kansas City Chiefs right now, you’re probably staring at a giant void. It’s January 2026, and for the first time in over a decade, the "Kingdom" isn’t preparing for a deep playoff run.
They’re done.
After a Week 18 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that felt like a punch to the gut, the Chiefs officially finished third in the AFC West. No Wild Card weekend. No Divisional round at Arrowhead. Just early vacations and a lot of questions about Patrick Mahomes' injury rehab. Because they missed the 2025-26 postseason, the kc chiefs remaining schedule for this winter is non-existent. However, the schedule for next season is already locked in, and honestly, it looks like a gauntlet.
The Chiefs Are Out: What Happened?
It’s weird to even type that. Since 2014, Kansas City has been a fixture in January football. But the 2025 season was a mess of injuries and uncharacteristic mistakes. They finished behind the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers in the division. While the Broncos are currently fighting through the Divisional round as the AFC's top seed, the Chiefs are looking at draft boards.
The team wrapped up their year with a 12-14 loss at Allegiant Stadium on January 4th. It was a ugly game. Low scoring. Lots of punting.
Since the season is over, fans are already pivoting. We know exactly who they play in 2026, even if we don't have the exact dates and times yet. The NFL's rotating schedule formula is a predictable beast, and it has dealt KC a heavy hand for the upcoming year.
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KC Chiefs Remaining Schedule: Looking Toward 2026
Since there are no more games until August, the focus shifts to the 2026 opponents. This isn't just a random assortment of teams. Because the Chiefs finished third in their division, they actually get a slightly "easier" draw than the Broncos, but "easy" is a relative term when you have to face the NFC West and the AFC East.
The Home Slate at GEHA Field
Arrowhead is going to be rocking, but the visitors are scary. You’ve got the usual AFC West suspects—Broncos, Chargers, and Raiders. But then it gets spicy.
The San Francisco 49ers are coming to town. That’s a Super Bowl rematch (take your pick of which one) that always delivers. You also have the New York Jets and the New England Patriots visiting. The Patriots actually surged back to relevance this year, finishing 14-3, so that’s no longer the "gimme" game it was a few seasons ago.
Rounding out the home games are the Arizona Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts matchup is the "mercy" game for finishing third in the AFC West; they’ll play the third-place finisher from the AFC South.
The Road Gauntlet
If you like travel, 2026 is your year. The Chiefs are headed to some of the loudest stadiums in the league.
- Buffalo Bills: This rivalry never dies. Facing Josh Allen in Orchard Park is never a "fun" time for the secondary.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Another third-place matchup. Joe Burrow vs. Mahomes is the gold standard for QB duels, even if they both had down years in 2025.
- The West Coast Swing: Trips to Seattle (Lumen Field is a nightmare), the Los Angeles Rams, and the typical AFC West road games.
- Miami Dolphins: A trip to South Florida to deal with Tyreek Hill and that speed.
- Atlanta Falcons: This is the "17th game" on the schedule. Since the NFC gets nine home games in 2026, the Chiefs have to fly to Atlanta.
Why the Post-Season Void Matters
Missing the playoffs creates a massive shift in how the front office handles the kc chiefs remaining schedule of the off-season. Usually, Andy Reid is coaching until February. Now? He’s evaluating scouts in January.
Patrick Mahomes recently gave an update on his rehab, calling it a "long process." That’s the real schedule fans are watching. Forget the games; the timeline for his return to 100% is the only thing that matters between now and training camp in St. Joseph.
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The AFC is currently dominated by the Broncos and Patriots. It’s a power shift we haven't seen in a long time. Seeing the Chargers in the playoffs while the Chiefs sit at home is a bitter pill for the fan base.
Planning for the 2026 Season
If you’re trying to plan a trip, the NFL usually drops the official 2026 schedule with dates and kickoff times in mid-May. Expect the Chiefs to still get plenty of primetime slots. The NFL loves Mahomes, regardless of whether they made the playoffs or not.
Expect at least five night games.
One thing to keep an eye on: International games. Commissioner Roger Goodell has been vocal about wanting 9 or 10 international games in 2026. The Rams (who the Chiefs play on the road) are rumored for a game in Melbourne, Australia. Imagine the Chiefs playing in Australia. The flight alone would be a saga.
What Fans Should Do Now
Since there are no more Sunday afternoons to block off for a while, the "schedule" for a Chiefs fan looks like this:
- February 2026: Watch the Super Bowl in Santa Clara and try not to be too jealous of the 49ers or Broncos.
- March 2026: Free Agency. The Chiefs need wide receiver help. Badly.
- April 2026: The NFL Draft. Finishing third in the division gives them a better pick than they’ve had in years.
- May 2026: The Schedule Release. This is when "kc chiefs remaining schedule" finally gets actual dates attached to it.
The dynasty isn't dead, but it's definitely taking a nap. The 2025 season showed that even the best can stumble when the injury bug bites and the division gets tougher. But with a healthy Mahomes and a high draft pick, 2026 could be a massive "revenge tour" for Kansas City.
For now, grab a jersey, keep an eye on the injury reports, and start saving up for those 2026 tickets. It’s going to be a long wait until August.
Keep your eyes on the NFL's official announcement in May 2026 to see if that Week 1 opener is a home game at Arrowhead or a flight to Buffalo.