The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off a season that, frankly, felt weird. After years of dominance, seeing the 2025 campaign end with a 6-11 record was a gut punch to the Kingdom. But that's the thing about the NFL—the "meritocracy" of the scheduling system ensures that when you struggle, your next road back is paved with a very specific set of obstacles.
Honestly, looking at who the kansas city chiefs play in 2026, it's clear the league's rotation is doing them some favors while throwing in a few brutal cross-country trips.
If you’re trying to plan your fall or just want to know if Mahomes and Co. can climb back to the top of the AFC West, the 2026 opponent list is officially set. We don’t have the specific dates or kickoff times yet—those usually drop in May—but we know exactly who is coming to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and where the team is heading.
The Rivalry Grind: AFC West Matchups
Six games are written in stone before the ink even dries on the previous season. That’s the divisional double-dip.
The Chiefs will play the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Los Angeles Chargers twice each. One home, one away. This past year was a nightmare in the division, with KC going a dismal 1-5 against their closest rivals. Ending the season with three straight losses to the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders was the final nail in the 2025 coffin.
In 2026, the Chiefs need to flip that script. The Broncos and Chargers both looked significantly more disciplined last year, and Arrowhead isn't the "automatic win" it used to be. You've got to wonder if the home-field advantage can be reclaimed after those late-December stumbles.
Taking on the East and the West
Every year, NFL divisions rotate through other divisions in a full four-game sweep. In 2026, the AFC West draws the AFC East and the NFC West.
This is where the schedule gets spicy.
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The Chiefs will host the New York Jets and the New England Patriots. On the flip side, they have to travel to face the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins. Yes, another trip to Orchard Park. It feels like the Chiefs and Bills are legally required to play every twelve months at this point.
The NFC crossover is just as heavy. Kansas City gets the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers at home. Seeing the Niners come to Arrowhead is always a marquee event, even if it’s just a regular-season rematch of past Super Bowls.
The road games for this leg? A trek to the Pacific Northwest to play the Seattle Seahawks and a visit to the Los Angeles Rams. That West Coast swing is always a test of recovery and travel logistics.
The "Place-Finish" Games
This is the part of the schedule that confuses people. Since the Chiefs finished third in the AFC West (a sentence that still feels weird to type), they are matched against the third-place finishers from the other AFC divisions they aren't already playing.
- Cincinnati Bengals: They’ll travel to Cincy. Mahomes vs. Burrow is still the best theater in the league, even if both teams are looking to rebound from "off" years.
- Indianapolis Colts: The Colts come to Kansas City. History hasn't always been kind to the Chiefs in this matchup—even when KC is favored, the Colts tend to be a thorn in their side.
The 17th Game: A Trip to Atlanta
The NFL’s 17th game is an inter-conference matchup based on divisional standings from the prior year. For 2026, the AFC West is paired with the NFC South.
Because the Chiefs finished third, they draw the Atlanta Falcons.
The location of this 17th game alternates between conferences every year. This time around, the NFC gets the extra home game, so the Chiefs will be heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It’s a fast track, a dome, and a chance for the Chiefs' speed to actually play in their favor away from the unpredictable Kansas City winter.
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Breaking Down the Home vs. Away Split
It’s easier to see it when it’s laid out by venue. Here is the list of who the kansas city chiefs play at home and on the road for the 2026 season.
Home Games at Arrowhead:
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New York Jets
- New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Indianapolis Colts
Away Games (Pack Your Bags):
- Denver Broncos
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Seattle Seahawks
- Los Angeles Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Atlanta Falcons
That road schedule is a gauntlet. Miami, Seattle, Buffalo, and Cincinnati are some of the loudest, most difficult environments in sports. If the Chiefs want to prove that 2025 was a fluke, they’re going to have to win in places where they’ve historically struggled.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Schedule
There’s a common myth that a "third-place schedule" is easy. People think because the Chiefs aren't playing the first-place juggernauts like the Ravens or the Lions (at least not in the "standings-based" slots), they have a cakewalk.
That's just not true.
The AFC is so deep right now that a "third-place" team like the Bengals is often just as dangerous as a division winner. Plus, the rotation gave the Chiefs the NFC West—arguably the most physical division in football.
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You also have to consider the "Mahomes Tax." No matter who the Chiefs play, they get the opponent's absolute best shot. Teams circle the Chiefs on their calendar the moment the schedule is released. A 6-11 season doesn't change that; it just makes the rest of the league smell blood in the water.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to attend a game or just follow along, keep these things in mind:
- Wait for the May Release: We know the who, but the when changes everything. A trip to Buffalo in September is a lot different than a trip to Buffalo in January.
- Watch the Travel Miles: The 2026 schedule is travel-heavy. Trips to Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta mean a lot of time in the air. Keep an eye on the "short week" games (Thursday nights) that often follow these long trips.
- Season Ticket Context: If you're a season ticket holder, this is a "9-home-game" year for the AFC, but remember that international games are always a possibility. The NFL loves putting the Chiefs on a global stage, so don't be surprised if one of those home dates turns into a flight to London or Germany.
The road back to the postseason starts with knowing the map. The 2026 schedule is that map. It’s tough, it’s full of old rivals, and it’s the only way for the Chiefs to put a disappointing 2025 in the rearview mirror.
Stay tuned for the official NFL schedule release in the spring to see how these matchups fall across the calendar.
Next Steps for You
- Review the away game list to see which road trips might require early flight bookings.
- Monitor the free agency period in March to see how the Bengals and Bills—two key 2026 opponents—reshape their rosters.
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