It feels weird, doesn't it? For the first time since 2014, the postseason is happening and the Kingdom is quiet. If you're looking for when is kansas city chiefs playing during this year's playoff run, the answer is a tough pill to swallow: they aren't. After seven straight years of dominating the AFC, Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are watching from the couch.
Kansas City finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 6-11 record. It was a grind. Between narrow losses to the Raiders in the finale and a Christmas Day heartbreaker against the Broncos, the team just couldn't find that October magic. But even though there are no playoff games at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium this January, the 2026 schedule is already coming into focus.
When Is Kansas City Chiefs Playing Again?
The Chiefs won’t take the field for a meaningful game until September 2026. However, the NFL usually releases the exact dates and times for the new season in mid-May. While we don't have the "calendar" yet, we know exactly who they are playing because of the league’s rotating scheduling formula.
The 2026 season will see the AFC West face off against the AFC East and the NFC West. This means some massive matchups are coming to Kansas City.
💡 You might also like: Por qué los partidos de Primera B de Chile son más entretenidos que la división de honor
2026 Home Opponents
You’ll be able to catch the Chiefs at Arrowhead against these teams:
- Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders (The usual divisional rivals)
- San Francisco 49ers (A Super Bowl rematch that always draws a massive crowd)
- New England Patriots - New York Jets
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts (Based on divisional standings)
2026 Away Opponents
If you’re planning a road trip, the Chiefs will be traveling to:
- Denver, LA Chargers, and Las Vegas
- Buffalo Bills (Expect another chapter in the Mahomes-Allen rivalry at Highmark Stadium)
- Miami Dolphins
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals (Another "standings-based" matchup that is always spicy)
- Atlanta Falcons (The "17th game" opponent for 2026)
Honestly, seeing the Bills and Bengals on the road in the same year is a brutal draw for a team trying to bounce back. But that's the price of being a perennial powerhouse, even in a down year.
📖 Related: South Carolina women's basketball schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Why the 2025 Season Went Sideways
It wasn't just one thing. It was a "perfect storm" of issues. The offense, usually a high-flying machine, struggled with consistency in the red zone. Travis Kelce, while still a legend, faced double-teams all year, and the young receiving corps had some growing pains.
Losing to the Raiders 14-12 in Week 18 was the final nail. That loss officially locked the Chiefs into third place in the AFC West. Because they finished third, their 2026 schedule actually looks a little "easier" on paper than it would have if they’d won the division. They avoid playing the first-place teams like the Ravens or Jaguars, instead drawing the Colts and Bengals.
Key Dates for the 2026 Offseason
Since the question of when is kansas city chiefs playing is settled for the winter, fans are looking at the calendar for the rebuild.
👉 See also: Scores of the NBA games tonight: Why the London Game changed everything
- NFL Draft (April 2026): With a higher draft pick than they've had in a decade, the Chiefs are in a prime position to snag a blue-chip playmaker.
- Schedule Release (May 2026): This is when we find out if they open on Monday Night Football or get another Thanksgiving slot.
- Training Camp (July 2026): The team heads back to St. Joseph, Missouri.
- Preseason (August 2026): The first time we'll see the new-look roster in action.
Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans
Don't let a missed postseason get you down. There are a few things you can do right now to prep for the return of Chiefs football.
- Audit Your Season Tickets: If you’re a Season Ticket Member, renewals usually start popping up in February. Given the 6-11 finish, keep an eye on any pricing adjustments or new perks the front office might roll out to keep the stadium loud.
- Track the 17th Game: The matchup in Atlanta is a "cross-conference" game. Since the NFC gets nine home games in 2026, the Chiefs will be the visiting team. Start looking at flights to Georgia now if you want to see Mahomes in a dome.
- Watch the Divisional Round: Even though KC is out, the results of the 2026 playoffs affect the draft order. Keep an eye on teams like the Bills and Texans; their success (or failure) shapes the AFC landscape the Chiefs have to navigate next September.
The road back to the Super Bowl starts with the draft and free agency. While it’s weird to have a January without a Chiefs game, the 2026 schedule offers plenty of opportunities for a "revenge tour" starting this fall.