You’re staring at the TV schedule, scrolling through the guides, and wondering what channel is the kansas city chiefs game on today, January 18, 2026.
Honestly? It's nowhere.
If you are looking for Mahomes and Kelce this afternoon, I have some tough news. The Kansas City Chiefs are not playing today. They aren't in the Divisional Round of the playoffs this year. They aren't even on the "In the Hunt" graphic. For the first time in a decade, the Kingdom is watching the postseason from the couch.
Why the Chiefs Are Missing from the 2026 Playoff Schedule
It feels weird. Since 2015, January has basically been a red-and-gold month. But the 2025-26 season was a different beast entirely.
The Chiefs finished the regular season with a 6-11 record.
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Think about that for a second. Six wins. After years of hosting the AFC Championship at Arrowhead, the team struggled with offensive consistency and a defense that finally looked human. They officially wrapped up their season on January 4, 2026, with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. That game was on CBS, but it was the final curtain for this year's squad.
Basically, if you’re searching for what channel is the kansas city chiefs game right now, you’re likely seeing the ghosts of 2025. Last year, on January 18, 2025, the Chiefs were actually playing the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. That game was on ABC/ESPN. Google's algorithms sometimes get a little dusty and show you those old results, but don't let it fool you.
What to Watch Instead: Today’s Actual NFL TV Schedule
Just because Kansas City is out doesn't mean the football is over. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and we have two massive Divisional Round matchups. If you want to see who might be taking over the AFC throne the Chiefs left vacant, here is who is actually on your TV:
AFC Divisional Round: Houston Texans at New England Patriots
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- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channel: ABC / ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+
NFC Divisional Round: Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears
- Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
It’s a bit surreal seeing New England and Chicago hosting playoff games while Kansas City starts looking at mock drafts. The Patriots have managed a quick rebuild, and the Texans—the team the Chiefs beat exactly one year ago today—are now the ones fighting for a spot in the AFC Championship.
Common Confusion About Chiefs Game Channels
Why is it so hard to find the game? Part of the problem is the "NFL on CBS" tradition. Fans are so used to seeing the Chiefs in the 4:25 PM ET slot on CBS that they check there first.
During the regular season, most Chiefs games do live on CBS and stream on Paramount+. However, once the playoffs hit, the rights get split between FOX, NBC, and the ESPN/ABC Disney umbrella. Because the Chiefs had such a down year, they didn't get those prime-time "flexible" slots late in the season that usually keep them top of mind.
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If you’re a die-hard fan, you’ve probably noticed that the local Kansas City stations (like KCTV5 or KMBC) are spending more time talking about the 2026 NFL Draft than game-day snacks.
The Road to 2026: What's Next for Kansas City?
So, if there is no game to watch, what are the Chiefs doing? Head coach Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach are already in "offseason mode."
The team has a lot of questions to answer. The 2026 opponents have already been determined, even if the dates haven't. Next season, the Chiefs will have to face the 49ers, Chargers, and Bills. It's a tough slate.
They are currently looking at their roster, which includes stars like Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, and trying to figure out how to get back to that 12-win standard. They'll also be watching the AFC Championship on January 25, 2025, which will be on CBS at 3:00 PM ET. It’ll be the first time in ages they aren’t one of the two teams on that field.
Actionable Steps for Displaced Chiefs Fans
- Stop searching for today's channel: The game doesn't exist. You won't find it on CBS, FOX, or even NFL+.
- Tune into the Texans-Patriots game: If you want to see the future of the AFC, this 3:00 PM ET game on ABC is the one to watch.
- Check the 2026 Mock Drafts: Since the Chiefs finished 6-11, they’ll have a much higher draft pick than they’ve had in a decade.
- Mark your calendar for the Super Bowl: Super Bowl LX is on February 8, 2026, on NBC. Even without KC, it's the biggest game of the year.
The era of Mahomes isn't over, but the 2025-26 chapter is closed. Instead of looking for a channel, maybe it’s time to start looking at who the Chiefs might take in the first round this April.