It is a weird feeling for Kansas City. For the first time since 2014, the Kingdom isn't gearing up for a Divisional Round or AFC Championship clash this January. Honestly, seeing the "Chiefs" name missing from the 2026 NFL playoff bracket feels like a glitch in the Matrix. After a grueling 2025 campaign that ended with a 6-11 record and a final Week 18 loss to the Raiders, the question of what channel is the kansas city chiefs football game on has a very different answer than we're used to.
There is no game today. Or this weekend.
While teams like the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos battle it out on CBS, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are already looking toward a massive 2026 rebuild. If you were looking for a kickoff time for this Sunday, January 18, 2026, you'll actually find the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots on ESPN and ABC instead.
Where Did the Chiefs Go?
The 2025-26 season was a tough pill to swallow. Injuries and a shifting roster led to a third-place finish in the AFC West. Because of that, the Chiefs missed the postseason entirely. Usually, this time of year involves tracking whether the game is on NBC, CBS, or FOX for a deep playoff run. Instead, the TV schedule is blank for KC fans until the preseason kicks off in August.
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It's a bizarre change of pace. We've spent nearly a decade just assuming January meant Chiefs football on every major network.
Planning for the 2026 Season Broadcasts
Even though there isn't a game on right now, the NFL's scheduling formula already tells us who the Chiefs will play in 2026. This is crucial for figuring out which apps and cable packages you'll need later this year. Since the Chiefs finished third in their division, their 2026 strength of schedule looks a bit different than the gauntlets they’ve faced as defending champs.
The 2026 Opponent Slate:
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- AFC West Rivals: You can count on the usual home-and-away series with the Broncos, Raiders, and Chargers. These are almost always CBS staples, though one usually flexes to Sunday Night Football on NBC.
- AFC East Matchups: The Chiefs draw the Bills, Dolphins, Jets, and Patriots this year.
- NFC West Cross-Conference: Prepare for heavy hitters like the 49ers and Seahawks.
- The "Place-Based" Games: Because of that third-place finish, KC will face the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North) and the Indianapolis Colts (AFC South).
Basically, you’re going to need a mix of everything. CBS remains the primary home for the AFC, but with the NFL’s recent streaming pushes, "what channel" is becoming a complicated question.
How to Watch in 2026: The Streaming Shift
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on Paramount+ and Peacock. In the 2025 season, we saw games land on Amazon Prime Video (like the Christmas Day game against Denver) and even exclusive YouTube broadcasts.
- CBS and Paramount+: This is your bread and butter for most Sunday afternoon games.
- NBC and Peacock: Expect at least two primetime slots here given the Chiefs' massive TV draw, even in a "down" year.
- ESPN/ABC: Monday Night Football isn't going anywhere, and the Bengals matchup is a prime candidate for a "Joe Burrow vs. Mahomes" Monday night spectacular.
- Amazon Prime: Thursday Night Football remains exclusive here.
Why the Broadcast Changes Matter
The NFL’s "Flex Scheduling" is the real wild card. Even if a game is originally scheduled for CBS, the league can move it to NBC’s Sunday Night Football with relatively short notice if the Chiefs bounce back and become a "hot" team again. This happened several times during the 2025 season, catching some fans off guard who didn't have the right streaming login ready.
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Experts like Matt McMullen have noted that while the 2025 season was disappointing, the 2026 schedule is actually "favorable" for a quick turnaround. Fewer games against first-place finishers means a potentially higher win total and more "National" TV windows.
What to Do Right Now
Since there isn't a game on the dial this weekend, your best bet for Chiefs content is following the NFL Draft prep and the NFL Scouting Combine in February.
Actionable Next Steps for Chiefs Fans:
- Check your subscriptions: If you only had Peacock or Paramount+ for the football season, you might want to pause them until August to save some cash.
- Mark the Calendar: The official 2026 NFL schedule—with specific dates, times, and channels—usually drops in mid-May.
- Follow the Cap Space: Watch the "Transactional" news. The Chiefs have significant moves to make in free agency to ensure they aren't sitting at home next January.
The quest to find what channel is the kansas city chiefs football game on will get a lot more exciting once the 2026 preseason schedule is released this summer. For now, enjoy the playoffs as a neutral observer and get ready for the Mahomes revenge tour.