So, you’re looking for the game. You've got the snacks ready, the jersey is on, and you’re frantically scrolling through the guide or punching "what channel are the kansas city chiefs playing" into your phone.
Here is the cold, hard truth: The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing today, Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
It’s a bit of a bummer, honestly. Especially if you’ve followed the rollercoaster that was the 2025-2026 season. After years of dominance, this January feels weirdly quiet in KC. Usually, we’re talking about playoff seeding or home-field advantage at Arrowhead. This year? Things went sideways.
The Short Answer: No Game Today
The Chiefs' 2025-2026 season officially ended on January 4, 2026, with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Because the team finished with a 6-11 record, they did not qualify for the NFL Playoffs.
While the NFL is currently in its postseason cycle—with the Wild Card round having just wrapped up—the Chiefs are already looking toward the NFL Draft and the 2026 season.
Where to Find NFL Action Instead
Just because Mahomes and Kelce aren't on your screen today doesn't mean football is over. If you're looking for the playoff games that are happening this week, the Divisional Round is right around the corner.
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Here is what the schedule looks like for the teams that actually made the cut:
Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This one kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. You can stream it on Paramount+.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: The night cap starts at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: Catch this at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: The weekend wraps up at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Basically, if you were hoping to see a game today, Tuesday, you’re out of luck regardless of the team. The NFL rarely plays on Tuesdays unless there’s a massive weather emergency or a scheduling fluke.
What Happened to the Chiefs?
It’s the question every fan in Missouri is asking. How does a team with Patrick Mahomes go 6-11?
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A quick look at the schedule shows a brutal stretch in December. They lost five straight games to end the season. Losses to the Texans, Chargers, Titans, Broncos, and Raiders effectively slammed the door on any playoff hopes.
The Christmas Day game against Denver was particularly rough—a 20-13 loss at home that felt like the final nail in the coffin. For a team that has lived in the AFC Championship game for the better part of a decade, watching the Broncos (14-3) take the #1 seed in the AFC is a tough pill to swallow.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Kansas City Chiefs Schedule
Since the season is over, we already know who the Chiefs will face in the 2026 regular season, even if we don't have the exact dates yet. The NFL uses a rotation, so we know the matchups.
Next year, the Chiefs will play the entire AFC East and NFC West.
Home Games at Arrowhead:
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- Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers (the usual AFC West rivals).
- San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, New England Patriots.
Away Games:
- Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers.
- Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
That road schedule looks intense. Trips to Buffalo, Miami, and Cincinnati are never easy, especially with those teams all likely being playoff contenders again.
How to Watch Chiefs Games in 2026
When the new season kicks off in September 2026, you'll need the usual suspects to keep up. Most games will land on CBS (the primary home of the AFC), but you’ll also need:
- NBC/Peacock: For Sunday Night Football.
- ESPN/ABC: For Monday Night Football.
- Amazon Prime Video: For Thursday Night Football.
- FOX: Usually for one or two "cross-flexed" games or matchups against NFC teams.
If you’re out of the Kansas City market, YouTube TV with NFL Sunday Ticket is still the gold standard for catching every single snap.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
Since there's no game to watch today, here’s how you can stay plugged in:
- Track the 2026 NFL Draft: With a 6-11 record, the Chiefs will have a much higher draft pick than they’ve had in years. This is a huge opportunity to rebuild the receiving corps or beef up the offensive line.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Even without KC, the Bills vs. Broncos game on Saturday (Jan 17) is going to be massive for the AFC hierarchy.
- Check the Salary Cap: Keep an eye on local reporters like Matt McMullen. The team will have some tough decisions to make regarding veteran contracts this spring.
The dynasty isn't necessarily dead, but it’s definitely taking a nap this winter. Catch the rest of the playoffs to see who takes the throne while the Chiefs regroup for next September.