Honestly, it feels weird to even be talking about the "next" game for the Kansas City Chiefs in a way that doesn't involve a deep playoff run. For years, January meant Arrowhead was shaking, Mahomes was doing something magic, and we were all just waiting to see which AFC powerhouse would fall next. But 2025 was... well, it was a mess. Injuries, weird offensive lapses, and a defense that finally looked human.
Now that the dust has settled on a season that saw the Chiefs finish third in the AFC West, everyone is asking: who will play the Chiefs next?
Since they missed the 2026 postseason—something that still doesn't feel real—the "next" game isn't a Divisional Round matchup this Saturday. It's the 2026 season opener in August. And while the specific dates won't drop until the NFL's schedule release in May, the list of opponents is locked in. It is a gauntlet.
The 2026 Opponents: No Easy Outs
Because the Chiefs finished third in their division behind the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers, you'd think they’d get a "third-place schedule" break. Not really. The NFL’s rotating division cycle means the AFC West draws the AFC East and the NFC West in 2026.
Basically, the Chiefs have to play some of the most physical teams in football.
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The Home Games at Arrowhead
The Sea of Red will have its hands full. The 2026 home slate includes:
- Denver Broncos: Bo Nix and the Broncos are currently the #1 seed in the AFC playoffs. They aren't the "easy win" they used to be.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Justin Herbert under Jim Harbaugh has become a nightmare to prepare for.
- Las Vegas Raiders: It's a rivalry. Records don't matter, but the Raiders always play KC tough.
- San Francisco 49ers: A Super Bowl LVIII rematch. Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan coming to Kansas City is always a marquee event.
- New York Jets: Whether it's a veteran QB or a new era, the Jets' defense is consistently a problem.
- New England Patriots: Drake Maye looks like the real deal, and they just bounced the Chargers from the playoffs.
- Arizona Cardinals: A high-variance team that can score 30 on anyone.
- Indianapolis Colts: This is one of the "placement" games based on the 2025 standings.
The Road Warriors
The away schedule is even more daunting. KC will be packing their bags for:
- Buffalo Bills: Josh Allen at Highmark Stadium. It's the best rivalry in the league, even if the stakes are "just" regular season this time.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow. Need I say more? These two teams genuinely seem to dislike each other.
- Seattle Seahawks: Playing at Lumen Field is a literal headache for any quarterback not named Mahomes, and even he struggles with that noise.
- Los Angeles Rams: A trip to SoFi to face Sean McVay's offense.
- Miami Dolphins: Hope for a game in September so the "cold weather" narrative flips.
- Atlanta Falcons: This is the "17th game" addition. The Chiefs have to head to Mercedes-Benz Stadium because the NFC gets the extra home game in 2026.
Why the 2026 Schedule Matters More Than Usual
Usually, the Chiefs can sleepwalk to 11 wins. Not anymore.
The AFC West has flipped. The Denver Broncos, led by Sean Payton, finished 14-3 this year. They are hosting the Buffalo Bills this Saturday in the Divisional Round. While the Chiefs are watching from home, their biggest rivals are getting playoff reps.
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The "who will play the Chiefs next" conversation is dominated by the fact that Kansas City is no longer the hunter; they are the hunted team that actually got caught.
Key Matchups to Circle
If you’re looking for the games that will define whether Mahomes gets back to the mountain top, keep an eye on these three:
- Chiefs at Bills: Every time these two play, something historic happens. Without the playoff pressure, maybe we see even more offensive fireworks.
- Chiefs vs. 49ers: This is a litmus test. If KC can't beat the 49ers at home, the "dynasty is over" talk will go from a whisper to a roar.
- Chiefs at Bengals: Burrow vs. Mahomes is the modern Brady vs. Manning. It’s must-see TV, regardless of the records.
Looking Ahead: The Path Back
So, what’s the move for KC?
The front office has to address the aging roster. We saw Travis Kelce's production dip slightly—though he’s still better than 90% of the league—and the offensive line needs a youth movement.
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The 2026 schedule doesn't give them a "get right" month. They start against a slate of playoff contenders. If they don't hit the ground running in Week 1, they risk another year of being on the outside looking in.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Track the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on whether the Chiefs lose any key coordinators this month. Several teams are looking at their defensive staff.
- Monitor the Salary Cap: The Chiefs have some tough decisions to make on veteran contracts before free agency opens in March.
- Save the Date: The official NFL schedule release—with exact times and dates—is expected the second week of May 2026.
The era of Mahomes is far from over, but the road back to the Super Bowl just got a lot steeper. The list of who will play the Chiefs next is a reminder that in the NFL, nobody stays on top forever without a fight.