If you’re frantically scrolling through your guide wondering what channel is Kansas City Chiefs playing on, I have some news that might sting a little. You probably missed the memo during the end-of-season chaos.
The Chiefs aren't on TV today.
Honestly, it feels weird to even say that in January. We’ve spent basically a decade watching Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce dominate the "Mahomes Invitational" (otherwise known as the AFC Championship) every single year. But the 2025-2026 season didn't go according to the usual script. After a brutal stretch in December, the Chiefs finished the regular season with a 6-11 record.
They’re officially out. No playoffs. No channel.
Why the Chiefs Aren't on Your TV Right Now
It’s a bit of a shock to the system. Usually, by mid-January, we’re checking to see if they’re on CBS or if NBC snagged a primetime slot for them. This year, the AFC is being run by a different set of heavyweights. While you were looking for the Chiefs, the NFL was moving on to the Divisional Round.
🔗 Read more: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
The teams actually playing this weekend are the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, and Houston Texans. The Broncos—the Chiefs' long-time division rivals—actually secured the #1 seed in the AFC this year.
Talk about a plot twist.
If you’re a die-hard Kansas City fan, you probably remember the Week 18 loss to the Raiders. That 14-12 heartbreaker on January 4th was the final nail in the coffin. Since then, the team has been in "evaluate everything" mode.
How to Follow the Team During the Offseason
Since you won't find them on a live broadcast today, your best bet for Chiefs content is shifting away from the major networks like CBS or FOX.
💡 You might also like: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
Most people don't realize that even when the games stop, the "content" doesn't. You should probably keep an eye on:
- The Chiefs Mobile App: This is where they’ll drop the real interviews about what went wrong this season.
- 96.5 The Fan: If you’re in the KC area, this is still the flagship home for local talk.
- NFL+: You can actually go back and watch the "all-22" film of the season if you’re a glutton for punishment and want to see exactly where the pass protection broke down.
Where the Rest of the NFL Is Playing
If you just want to watch good football today, you’re looking for the Divisional Round matchups. Even without KC, the schedule is pretty stacked.
- Saturday, January 17: Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos at 4:30 PM ET on CBS and Paramount+.
- Saturday, January 17: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Sunday, January 18: Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.
- Sunday, January 18: Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears at 6:30 PM ET on NBC/Peacock.
It’s definitely a different vibe. Seeing the Broncos in the #1 spot while the Chiefs watch from home is something most fans didn't have on their 2026 bingo card.
Looking Ahead to the 2026-2027 Season
So, if you’re asking what channel is Kansas City Chiefs playing on because you’re looking for the next time they take the field, you’ve got a bit of a wait. The 2026 preseason won't kick off until August.
📖 Related: What Time Did the Cubs Game End Today? The Truth About the Off-Season
When they do return, the broadcast rules stay pretty much the same. Most Sunday afternoon games will land on CBS (KCTV5 locally) or FOX (WDAF-TV). Primetime games will shuffle between NBC for Sunday nights, ESPN for Mondays, and Amazon Prime Video for those Thursday night matchups.
The biggest thing to watch this offseason is the roster. With a 6-11 record, the front office is likely going to be aggressive in the draft. We're looking at a much higher draft pick than this city is used to having.
To stay ahead of the curve, set a calendar alert for the NFL Draft in April. That’s the next time the Chiefs will "win" anything significant. In the meantime, you can catch the AFC Championship next Sunday, January 25th, on CBS—even if it’s missing the usual sea of red.
Check your local listings for any "End of Season" specials on KSHB 41 or KCTV 5, as they often run post-mortem interviews with Andy Reid during this week in January.