You’re sitting on the couch, wings are getting cold, and you’re frantically scrolling through the guide. We’ve all been there. Trying to figure out what channel Kansas City Chiefs are playing on shouldn't feel like solving a Rubik's Cube. Between the shifting broadcast rights and the NFL's obsession with exclusive streaming deals, it’s getting harder to just "turn on the game."
Honestly, the days of just clicking over to Channel 5 and seeing Patrick Mahomes do something magic are becoming a relic of the past.
For the 2025-2026 season, the schedule is a patchwork quilt of networks. You've got the usual suspects like CBS and NBC, but then you’ve got weird outliers like YouTube and Netflix. If you missed the memo, the Chiefs actually played the Raiders recently on CBS for their regular-season finale on January 4, 2026. But as the playoffs roll on, the landscape changes faster than a Tyreek Hill sprint.
Where to Find the Chiefs on Your TV Dial
If it’s a Sunday afternoon, your best bet is usually CBS. Since the Chiefs are in the AFC, CBS holds the primary rights for their daytime games. If they aren't there, check FOX. They occasionally grab "cross-flexed" games, especially when the Chiefs play an NFC powerhouse like the Eagles or the Lions.
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But prime time is where things get messy.
- Sunday Night Football: This stays on NBC.
- Monday Night Football: You’ll find these on ESPN or ABC.
- Thursday Night Football: This is strictly an Amazon Prime Video affair.
There was a pretty notable game on Christmas Day 2025 where the Chiefs played the Broncos. If you were looking for that on cable, you were out of luck—it was a Prime Video exclusive. It’s a trend that isn’t going away. In fact, the NFL even tapped YouTube for an exclusive international game in Week 1 against the Chargers in Brazil.
The "Streaming Tax" and Your Wallet
Let’s be real: watching the Chiefs in 2026 feels like paying a monthly subscription to every tech company on the planet. If you want to see every single snap, a standard cable package doesn't cut it anymore.
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You basically need a checklist. Do you have Paramount+ for the CBS games? Do you have Peacock for the NBC ones? Don't forget Netflix—they’ve started snatching up those holiday windows. It's annoying. It's expensive. But if you're a member of the Kingdom, it’s sorta the price of admission now.
For out-of-town fans, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV remains the gold standard, though the price tag is enough to make anyone wince. If you’re local to Kansas City, you usually get a pass. Even if a game is exclusive to a streamer like Amazon, local stations (usually KSHB 41 or KCTV 5) typically simulcast the game so you don't have to subscribe to Prime just to watch your hometown team.
Radio: The Old Reliable
Sometimes the tech fails. Or maybe you're stuck in traffic on I-435. When that happens, 96.5 The Fan is the flagship home for the Chiefs. Mitch Holthus is still the voice of the team, and honestly, hearing him scream "Touchdown, Kan-sas City!" is better than any 4K resolution broadcast anyway.
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How to Check the Channel Quickly
Don't trust the generic "sports" tab on your smart TV. It's often slow to update. Instead, check the official Chiefs Mobile App. They have a "Ways to Watch" section that updates based on your GPS location. This is crucial because what’s on CBS in Kansas City isn't what's on CBS in Denver.
- Open the app 2 hours before kickoff.
- Check the "Broadcast" info.
- Look for "In-Market" vs "Out-of-Market" labels.
Remember, the NFL's "flex scheduling" can move a game from 1:00 PM to 7:20 PM with just a few days' notice. This happened a few times this past season when the league wanted Mahomes in the spotlight.
To stay ahead of the curve, always keep an eye on the Saturday afternoon injury reports. If a game looks like it’s going to be a blowout or a star player is out, the network might swap it. But for the most part, the Chiefs are the league's darlings—they almost always stay in the premium windows.
Verify your local listings at least 24 hours before the game. Ensure your streaming logins are active and haven't expired. If you're heading to a sports bar, call ahead to make sure they have the specific streaming service for that week's game, especially for those Thursday night or holiday exclusives.