Look, being part of Chiefs Kingdom is basically a full-time job these days. Between the back-to-back Super Bowls and the constant national spotlight, you can't afford to miss a single snap. But honestly, if you're trying to figure out how to listen to Kansas City Chiefs football in 2026, things have gotten a little... complicated. It’s not just about turning a dial anymore.
You’ve probably been there: sitting in the driveway, frantically scrolling through apps because the "local" station is playing a talk show instead of the kickoff. It's frustrating. The broadcast landscape has shifted, and the "old" way of finding Mitch Holthus on the airwaves isn't always as simple as it used to be.
The New Voice of the Kingdom: 96.5 The Fan
For decades, we all knew where the Chiefs lived on the radio. But recently, things moved. As of the current 2025-2026 season, the flagship home is 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM). They took over the mantle, and while the frequency might be different for those who remember the 101 The Fox days, the energy is exactly what you’d expect.
Mitch Holthus is still the guy. Thank goodness. He’s entering his 32nd season as the "Voice of the Chiefs," and honestly, the game just doesn't feel the same without his signature "Touchdown, KAN-SAHS CITY!" cry. He’s joined in the booth by former Chiefs wideout Danan Hughes, who provides the kind of X’s and O’s insight only someone who’s run those routes can offer.
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Why You Can't Always Stream for Free
Here’s the part that catches most people off guard. If you’re inside the Kansas City market, you can usually pull up the stream on the 96.5 The Fan website or the Audacy app and you’re golden. But the moment you cross that invisible "market line" into another territory, the digital stream often blacks out.
Why? NFL broadcasting rights are tighter than a Mahomes spiral. If you’re in, say, Phoenix or Chicago, the station’s web player might detect your IP address and shut you out. It's annoying, but it’s the reality of modern sports media.
The Best Ways to Listen if You're Out of Market
If you aren't lucky enough to be within earshot of the KFNZ transmitter, you have a few specific options to catch the call.
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- NFL+: This is the league’s official play. For a monthly sub (usually starting around $6.99), you get the home, away, and national radio feeds for every single game. No blackouts on audio. It’s the most reliable way if you’re a displaced fan living in the "wilderness" of another team's territory.
- SiriusXM: If you’re on a road trip, this is the goat. The Chiefs broadcast usually lives on Channel 231 (or 815 on the app). The cool thing here is you can choose the Chiefs' local crew instead of the generic national announcers who might not know a "corn dog" play from a screen pass.
- Tico Sports (Spanish Broadcast): If you haven't listened to the Tico Sports crew, you’re missing out. The passion is incredible. You can find them on the Audacy app under "Tico Sports | Chiefs en Español" or via the Chiefs Mobile App.
Breaking Down the "Hammer Down" Tradition
Ever noticed how the vibe changes at the start of the 4th quarter? That’s when Mitch, Danan, and sideline reporter Josh Klingler announce it’s "time to put the hammer down." It’s not just a catchphrase; it’s the signal for the Kingdom to lock in.
Josh Klingler is usually the one down on the turf, giving those crucial updates on whether a limping player is just getting a "stinger" or heading to the blue medical tent. That boots-on-the-ground info is something you just don't get from the TV broadcast as quickly.
Common Myths About Listening Online
"I can just find a pirate stream on X (formerly Twitter)."
Don't bother. Most of those "links" are just clickbait or spam bots. Even if you find one, the lag is usually two or three minutes behind real-time. By the time you hear the play, your phone has already buzzed with a score alert.
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"The Chiefs app works everywhere."
Sorta. The Chiefs Mobile App is a great tool, but the live game audio is still subject to those pesky geo-fencing rules. If you’re in Wichita or Omaha, you’re usually fine. If you’re in Florida, it might tell you "broadcast unavailable."
The "Mitch" Delay
One pro tip: if you’re trying to sync the radio audio with your TV (because, let's be real, the national TV announcers can be a bit much), you're going to deal with a delay. Digital radio streams are usually 30-60 seconds behind the live TV broadcast. Your best bet is to use a radio app that lets you "pause" the audio so you can wait for the TV picture to catch up. It takes some fiddling, but it’s worth it to have Mitch calling the action while you watch.
What to Do Next
If you’re prepping for the next game, don’t wait until five minutes before kickoff to test your setup.
- Check your location: If you're in KC, download the Audacy app and favorite 96.5 The Fan.
- Verify your sub: If you're out of town, make sure your NFL+ or SiriusXM login actually works.
- Find a backup: Save the Tico Sports link just in case. Even if you don't speak Spanish, the energy is a blast during a tight game.
Basically, the Kingdom is everywhere. Whether you’re listening on a transistor radio in a garage in Overland Park or streaming via satellite in a truck in Maine, the goal is the same: hearing that "Touchdown, Kansas City!" at the top of Mitch’s lungs.