The Kansas City Chiefs will find out their full 2026 regular season schedule with dates and times on Thursday.
Here is a refresh of who the Chiefs will play next season, and where:
- Las Vegas Raiders x2
- Denver Broncos x2
- Los Angeles Chargers x2
- at Cincinnati Bengals
- vs. Indianapolis Colts
- at Buffalo Bills
- at Miami Dolphins
- vs. New York Jets
- vs. New England Patriots
- at Seattle Seahawks
- vs. San Francisco 49ers
- vs. Arizona Cardinals
- at Los Angeles Rams
- at Atlanta Falcons
Kansas City Chiefs Could Be Hoping to Play Less Primetime Games in 2026
GettyGEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Kansas City has been among the league leaders in primetime games over the past decade. While creating a scheduling wish list for every NFL team, Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports stated he believes the Chiefs would welcome a reduction of primetime matchups in 2026 after a down year in 2025.
“The Chiefs played a league-high seven primetime games in 2025. After a 6-11 season and possible Chiefs fatigue from viewers, there’s a very good chance that Kansas City will see fewer opportunities. The Chiefs should welcome it, given how many times they’ve been asked to play at night over the past several years.”
Spending less time in the spotlight could be a positive thing for the Chiefs as they look to re-establish themselves. There is an added layer of scrutiny and pressure that comes with playing in primetime, and the Chiefs would benefit from being able to lay low bit. They have a very young roster that needs time to gel, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is working his way back from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee.
In 2025 Kansas City went 3-4 in primetime games. They finished the season 6-11 overall, their first losing record since 2012. The Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, and failed to win the AFC West for the first time since 2015. They have played in at least five primetime games each of the last nine seasons. K.C. fared well in those contests before 2025, going 34-16.
Chiefs Will Still Likely Get Several Primetime Games in 2026
Regardless of whether the Chiefs want to or not, it’s tough to imagine them not being featured in primetime several times this season. Most expect them to bounce back and, at the very least, be a playoff contender in 2026. All of their recent success has made them very polarizing, and they consistently draw top ratings.
As usual, K.C. has several matchups the NFL won’t be able to pass on putting in a primetime slot. Mahomes versus Bills quarterback Josh Allen is always a draw, as is going up against Bengals QB Joe Burrow. New Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III facing his old team in the Seahawks will be a bigtime storyline.
A matchup against the AFC champion Patriots, especially given K.C.’s history against them, will also be tempting for primetime. Finally, the Chiefs almost always have at least one primetime game against an AFC West foe, most likely the Chargers or Broncos. For the third straight year, K.C. will be a hot candidate to play on Christmas.
Chiefs’ Potential Scheduling Wish Would Be Welcomed Change of Pace