It feels weird, doesn't it? Usually, around this time in January, Kansas City is buzzing with red jerseys, freezing tailgates, and the inevitable preparation for another deep playoff run. But if you’re looking for when are the Kansas City Chiefs playing again, the answer is a little tougher to swallow this year.
The Chiefs aren't in the playoffs.
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are watching the Divisional Round from their couches. The 2025-2026 season wrapped up on January 4, 2026, with a narrow 14-12 loss to the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. That loss capped off a 6-11 season—a record that would have been unthinkable a few years ago.
So, since there’s no postseason game on the calendar, when do they actually hit the grass?
The long wait for August 2026
Since the Chiefs missed the tournament, they won't be playing a meaningful snap of football until the 2026 NFL Preseason, which typically kicks off in the second week of August.
We don't have the exact dates or times yet. The NFL usually drops the official schedule in mid-May. However, based on the league's standard operating procedure, you can expect the first preseason game to land somewhere between August 13 and August 16, 2026.
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It's a long wait. Honestly, seven months of no Chiefs football feels like a lifetime in Missouri. But while the pads won't be popping for a while, the "game" behind the scenes starts much sooner. The roster you saw in Week 18 is going to look wildly different by the time they line up for training camp at Missouri Western State University.
Who is on the 2026 Chiefs schedule?
Even though the "when" is still a bit blurry, we know exactly "who" they’re playing. The NFL uses a rotating formula, so the opponents are already locked in. Because the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West, they actually get a slightly "easier" schedule on paper for 2026—though in the NFL, that's a dangerous assumption.
Home Games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead:
- Denver Broncos (The rivalry is heating up again)
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- San Francisco 49ers (A Super Bowl rematch that might feel a bit bittersweet)
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
Road Games:
- Denver Broncos
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Cincinnati Bengals (Always a slugfest)
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
Notice that the Chiefs have nine road games and only eight home games this year. That’s just the way the 17-game rotation works—the AFC gets the extra road game in even-numbered years.
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Why the 2025 season went sideways
You’ve probably heard a million theories. Some say it was the aging offensive line; others point to a lack of explosive plays. Finishing 6-11 with a 1-5 record in the division is a gut punch.
The defense actually held its own for most of the year, but the offense struggled to find that "Chiefs Magic." They lost a lot of one-score games. That Week 18 loss to the Raiders was basically a microcosm of the whole year: missed opportunities and a lack of rhythm.
But here’s the thing: missing the playoffs gives Mahomes a rare chance to fully recover. He’s been playing deep into February for years. A full offseason of rest might be exactly what the doctor ordered to get the Chiefs back to their 12-win standard.
Key dates for the 2026 return
If you’re counting down the days, mark these on your calendar. These are the milestones that lead us back to when are the Kansas City Chiefs playing again.
- NFL Draft (April 23-25, 2026): With a higher draft pick than usual, the Chiefs are in a prime spot to snag a game-changing receiver or a dominant tackle.
- Schedule Release (Mid-May 2026): This is when we get the exact dates, times, and those precious primetime slots.
- Training Camp (Late July 2026): The team heads to St. Joseph. This is the first time we see the new rookies in red.
- Regular Season Opener (September 10, 2026): The NFL season usually starts the Thursday after Labor Day.
Managing the "No-Football" blues
It’s weird watching the Bills and Broncos battle it out in the Divisional Round while Arrowhead stays quiet. But look at the silver lining. The last time the Chiefs had a "bad" year, they followed it up with a tear through the league.
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The AFC West is tougher now. The Chargers and Broncos have found their footing, and the Raiders are always a headache. The Chiefs can't just sleepwalk to a division title anymore.
If you're looking for live football to hold you over, the UFL usually kicks off in the spring, but let's be real—it’s not the same as watching 15 scramble for a first down on 3rd and long.
The best thing to do now is keep an eye on the free agency period in March. That's when we'll see if the front office is going all-in to fix the holes that led to this 6-11 finish.
Keep your jerseys ready for August. The comeback starts then.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official NFL site in May 2026 for the specific kickoff times.
- Monitor the NFL Draft in late April to see who the Chiefs pick with their highest selection in years.
- Follow training camp reports in late July to see which under-the-radar players are making the roster.