It feels weird, doesn't it? For the first time since 2014, the Kingdom isn't obsessing over a Divisional Round matchup or checking flight prices to an AFC Championship site. If you're looking for when do the kansas city chiefs play again, the answer is actually a bit of a gut punch for a fanbase used to February parades.
The Chiefs are done. Their 2025-2026 season ended on January 4, 2026, with a 14-12 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Because they finished 6-11 and missed the postseason entirely, there is no "next week." There is no playoff bracket. There is only the long, quiet wait for the 2026 preseason to kick off in August. For a team that has defined the NFL's postseason landscape for a decade, this is uncharted territory.
The Long Wait for the 2026 Season
If you're marking your calendar for the actual return of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, you're looking at a massive gap. The NFL typically releases the official schedule in mid-May. Until then, we don't have exact dates or times.
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However, we can pinpoint the windows. Based on standard NFL operations, here is the timeline for the Chiefs' return to the grass:
- Training Camp: Late July 2026. This is usually held at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph.
- Preseason Opener: Likely the second weekend of August 2026.
- Regular Season Week 1: Early September 2026.
It’s a long summer. Honestly, after the gauntlet of the last few years, the players' bodies probably need it, even if the fans hate the silence. Mahomes is currently working through injury rehab, aiming specifically for that Week 1 start in September.
Who Will the Chiefs Play in 2026?
We might not have the dates, but thanks to the NFL’s scheduling formula, we already know the 17 opponents. Since the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West, they’ll be playing a "third-place schedule."
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This actually gives them a slightly easier path back to the top than they've had in years. They won't be forced to play every other division winner in the conference.
Home Games at Arrowhead
- The AFC West Rivals: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders.
- AFC East: New England Patriots, New York Jets.
- NFC West: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers.
- The Rotation/Placement Games: Indianapolis Colts.
Road Trips
- The AFC West Rivals: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders.
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins.
- NFC West: Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks.
- The Rotation/Placement Games: Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons.
Nine road games. Eight home games. That’s because the NFC gets the "extra" home game in 2026 as part of the 17-game rotation. The trip to Atlanta is technically that 17th game.
Why This Offseason is Different
The 2025 season was a mess. There’s no other way to put it. Ending 6-11 isn't just a "down year" for this franchise; it's a structural collapse. Mahomes dealt with significant injury issues, and the offensive consistency just vanished.
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Usually, when we ask when do the kansas city chiefs play again, we're talking about a Super Bowl run. Now, the conversation is about the NFL Draft.
The Chiefs will have a high draft pick—something they haven't had since they moved up to grab Mahomes years ago. This changes the entire energy of the offseason. Instead of watching playoff film, the front office is currently scouting top-tier talent at the Senior Bowl and preparing for the Combine in late February.
What to Watch While You Wait
Just because there aren't games doesn't mean the team is stagnant. The "play" happens in the front office now.
- The NFL Combine (Late February): Watch this to see who the Chiefs might target to fix the wide receiver room or bolster the defensive line.
- Free Agency (March 2026): This is when the roster actually gets rebuilt. Expect the Chiefs to be aggressive since they aren't picking at the end of every round for once.
- The NFL Draft (April 2026): This is the biggest date on the calendar until August.
The silence at Arrowhead is deafening right now. But history is on their side. Every time a legendary quarterback has a "lost" season due to injury or roster turnover, the bounce-back is usually ferocious.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the NFL Schedule Release in mid-May 2026. That is the moment we will have the exact calendar for the comeback. Until then, you can track Patrick Mahomes’ rehab progress through official team updates on Chiefs.com, as his availability for the August preseason opener is the single most important factor for the 2026 campaign.