Finding out who does Kansas City Chiefs play isn't just about glancing at a calendar anymore; it’s about navigating a landscape where the "dynasty" label is being tested like never before. After a 2025 season that honestly left a lot of fans scratching their heads, the 2026 slate looks like a gauntlet. If you’re looking for the short answer: the 2025 regular season is over. The Chiefs finished a disappointing 6-11, ending with a 14-12 loss to the Raiders on January 4, 2026.
They aren't in the playoffs.
Yeah, you read that right. No January football at Arrowhead this year. Instead, we are already looking ahead to the 2026-2027 opponents, which were officially locked in as soon as the regular season standings were finalized. Because they finished third in the AFC West, their "placement" games are significantly different than what we've seen during their years of divisional dominance.
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The 2026 Opponent List: Who is Coming to Arrowhead?
The NFL’s scheduling formula is basically a math equation that ensures everyone plays a mix of familiar foes and rotating divisions. For 2026, the Chiefs are matched up against the AFC East and the NFC West. This means some of the most physical teams in the league are headed to Kansas City.
At home, you’ve got the standard AFC West rivals. The Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers will all make their annual trip to GEHA Field. But the non-divisional home slate is where it gets spicy.
The San Francisco 49ers are coming to town. Every time these two meet, it feels like a Super Bowl rematch, mostly because it usually is. You also have the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Jets. Seeing the Jets at Arrowhead usually means a circus atmosphere, especially if Aaron Rodgers is still defying the laws of aging by then.
On the road, things get even tougher.
- Buffalo Bills: Because of course. It wouldn't be a football season if Patrick Mahomes didn't have to walk into the freezing wind of Orchard Park.
- Miami Dolphins: A track meet in the humidity.
- Seattle Seahawks: One of the loudest stadiums in the world vs. the loudest fans in the world.
- Los Angeles Rams: A trip to SoFi, which often feels like a second home for Chiefs fans traveling west.
- Atlanta Falcons: This is the "17th game" opponent for 2026. Since the NFC hosts the extra game this year, the Chiefs have to travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Why the 2025 Results Changed Everything
To understand the 2026 schedule, you have to look at the wreckage of 2025. This was a season defined by close losses and a struggling offense. They lost seven of their last eight games. You don't usually see a Reid-Mahomes team crater like that, but it happened.
Losing 20-13 to the Broncos on Christmas Day was probably the low point for most of the Kingdom. Then, they capped it off with that two-point loss in Vegas. Finishing 6-11 meant they didn't just miss the playoffs; they landed in the third-place "bracket" for scheduling.
Usually, the Chiefs play a "first-place" schedule. That means they have to play the winners of the other AFC divisions. By finishing third, they "traded" games against teams like the Ravens or Texans for matchups with the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts. While the Bengals are never "easy," it's a different path than the one they've trotted down for the last decade.
Breaking Down the Division Rivals
The AFC West isn't the "easy win" it used to be. For a long time, the Chiefs basically owned a permanent lease on the divisional trophy. Not anymore.
The Broncos finished 2025 with a 14-3 record. They are the new kings of the hill until proven otherwise. When you ask who does Kansas City Chiefs play, the answer starts and ends with those two Denver games. Those are the measuring sticks now.
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The Raiders also seem to have found a formula for annoying Kansas City. They beat the Chiefs in the season finale, and even though they only won three games all year, two of those felt like they were specifically designed to ruin the Chiefs' week. The 2026 matchups against Vegas will be about more than just standings; they'll be about reclaiming respect in a rivalry that got a lot more personal recently.
The Travel Factor in 2026
The Chiefs are going to rack up some serious frequent flyer miles. Trips to Seattle, San Francisco (Santa Clara), and Miami mean they’ll be hitting both coasts.
- West Coast Swing: Games against the Rams and Seahawks are always taxing due to the time zone shift.
- The Buffalo Curse: It feels like the NFL schedule makers just copy-paste "Chiefs at Bills" every year.
- The International Mystery: While the 2026 international games haven't been fully assigned, the Chiefs are always a prime candidate for London or Germany because of their global brand.
Key Storylines for the 2026 Matchups
When the schedule actually drops in May, everyone is going to circle the San Francisco 49ers game. It’s the game that everyone wants to see. It's Kyle Shanahan's scheme versus Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Even if both teams had weird 2025 seasons, the star power on those rosters is just too high to ignore.
Then there’s the Cincinnati Bengals game. Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes are the modern-day Manning and Brady. Even though the Bengals finished third in their division (which is why they are playing the Chiefs), nobody actually thinks they are a "third-place" caliber team. That game will likely be a primetime slot on Sunday or Monday night.
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Actionable Steps for Chiefs Fans
Since the 2026 schedule is finalized in terms of who but not when, here is what you need to do to stay ahead:
- Wait for May: The NFL usually releases the specific dates and times (the "Grid") in mid-May. Don't buy "tickets" from random sites before then; they don't exist yet.
- Book Atlanta Early: The game at the Falcons is the "17th game" addition. Atlanta is a massive hub, and that stadium is a bucket-list destination. Once the date drops, flights will spike.
- Watch the Draft: Since the Chiefs finished 6-11, they have a much higher draft pick than usual (likely in the top 10-12). Who they pick will significantly change how they match up against physical teams like the 49ers or Bills.
- Check the Vegas Odds: Keep an eye on the early 2026 win totals. If the Chiefs are projected at 10.5 or 11.5 wins despite a 6-win season, it tells you the sharps think 2025 was a fluke.
The road back to the top of the AFC West starts with these 17 games. It's a long way from the Super Bowl parades we got used to, but the 2026 schedule offers the perfect stage for a comeback story.
Update on 2026 Home Opponents:
- AFC West: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders
- AFC East: New England Patriots, New York Jets
- NFC West: San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals
- AFC North/South (Place-based): Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals
Update on 2026 Away Opponents:
- AFC West: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders
- AFC East: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
- NFC West: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams
- NFC South (17th Game): Atlanta Falcons