If you're a member of the Chiefs Kingdom, you're probably feeling a bit of a sting right now. It’s January 17, 2026, and the NFL playoffs are in full swing—but without the red and gold on the field. Honestly, it feels weird. After years of dominance, Kansas City finished the 2025 season with a 6-11 record. No playoffs. No Arrowhead invitational. Just a long wait.
So, when does kansas city chiefs play again?
The short answer is: you're looking at August 2026 for the preseason and September 2026 for the real deal. Because the Chiefs didn't make the postseason this year, their 2025 campaign officially ended on January 4, 2026, with a tough 14-12 loss to the Raiders. Now, we enter the "long dark" of the offseason.
The 2026 Wait: When Exactly is the Kickoff?
We don't have the exact calendar dates yet. The NFL usually drops the full, minute-by-minute schedule in mid-May. But we can basically set our watches by the league’s rhythm.
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Typically, the Chiefs will return for training camp in late July at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. That’s where the work starts. But for us watching from the couch? The first time you'll see Patrick Mahomes (likely for just one series) will be the preseason opener in mid-August 2026.
The 2026 regular season will likely kick off on Thursday, September 10, or Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Who are the Chiefs playing in 2026?
Even though we don’t know when the games are, we already know who they are playing. The NFL’s scheduling formula is basically a math equation that doesn't care about your feelings. Since the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West, their 2026 opponents are locked in.
Home Games at Arrowhead
- Denver Broncos (Division Rival)
- Las Vegas Raiders (Division Rival)
- Los Angeles Chargers (Division Rival)
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- San Francisco 49ers
Road Games on the Schedule
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks
Notice something? The Chiefs have nine road games and only eight home games in 2026. This is part of the 17-game season rotation. Last year, the AFC had the extra home game; this year, it’s the NFC’s turn. It kinda sucks for local fans, but that's the way the grass grows.
Why 2025 went sideways (and what changes for 2026)
It’s hard to talk about when does kansas city chiefs play again without acknowledging why we’re even asking this in January. Usually, we’re talking about AFC Championship tickets right now.
The 2025 season was a grind. The defense, led by Steve Spagnuolo, actually played lights out, ranking 6th in the league for points allowed. But the offense? Man, it was a struggle. They averaged just 21.3 points per game. For a Mahomes-led team, that’s almost unthinkable.
Injuries played a role, sure. But there’s a deeper conversation happening in KC about the wide receiver room and the offensive line's consistency. When they play again in 2026, expect a very different-looking roster. Andy Reid doesn't just sit on a 6-11 record and shrug.
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Key Dates to Circle on Your Calendar
If you’re trying to track the road back to the Super Bowl, the game on the field is only half the story. Here is the timeline for the Chiefs' return to relevance:
- Late February 2026: The NFL Scouting Combine. This is where Brett Veach starts scouting the next great Chiefs weapon.
- March 2026: Free Agency begins. Look for the Chiefs to be aggressive here to fix the offensive woes.
- April 23-25, 2026: The NFL Draft. Because of the 6-11 record, the Chiefs will have their highest draft pick in years.
- May 2026: The official 2026 schedule release. This is when we’ll know if they play on Thanksgiving or Christmas again.
- August 2026: Preseason games.
Addressing the "Rebuilding" Rumors
Is it a rebuild? Most experts say no. It’s a "retool." You don't rebuild when you have #15 under center. But people are worried. Travis Kelce isn't getting any younger, and the AFC West is getting tougher. The Broncos actually won the division this year and are currently in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The gap between the Chiefs and the rest of the league has closed. When the Chiefs play again, the pressure will be higher than it’s been in a decade. They aren't the hunters anymore; they're the ones trying to find their way back to the top of the mountain.
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Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans
While you wait for the 2026 kickoff, here is what you can do to stay in the loop:
- Watch the Draft Position: Keep an eye on the draft order. A top-10 or top-15 pick is a rare gift for this franchise. It could mean a generational receiver or a franchise tackle.
- Monitor Free Agency: The Chiefs will likely have some cap space to play with. Watch for veteran signings in March that signal a "win-now" mentality for 2026.
- Check the International Slate: The NFL is expanding international games. There’s always a chance the Chiefs could end up back in London or Germany in 2026.
- Renew Season Tickets Early: Even after a 6-11 season, the demand for Arrowhead is huge. Don’t wait until the May schedule drop to think about tickets.
The wait for the next Chiefs game is long, but for a team with this much talent, the comeback story usually starts the moment the previous season ends.