Chiefs 2026 Opponents Set: A Deep Dive Into Kansas City's Upcoming Battles
The Kansas City Chiefs now know who’s on the docket for 2026. While dates and times will come later-likely in May, per usual NFL scheduling-what we do know is this: the road back to the top won’t be easy. After a 2025 season that saw the AFC West slip from their grasp for the first time in nearly a decade, Kansas City is staring down a 17-game slate packed with revenge opportunities, rising contenders, and a few familiar foes with fresh faces.
Let’s break it all down, from the in-division rivalries to the cross-conference matchups that could shape the Chiefs’ path next season.
AFC West: The Division Is No Longer Theirs Alone
Denver Broncos (Home & Away)
The Broncos didn’t just beat the Chiefs in 2025-they swept them, snapped KC’s nine-year run atop the AFC West, and made it all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
Bo Nix’s ankle injury in the Divisional Round may have kept them from a Super Bowl appearance, but Denver’s message was loud and clear: they’re not backing down. The Chiefs will be eyeing these matchups as statement games.
Las Vegas Raiders (Home & Away)
The Chiefs handed the Raiders a 31-0 loss in Week 7 last season-a game that, in hindsight, may have been the high point of KC’s campaign.
But the season ended with a whimper, as Chris Oladokun started the finale and the team stumbled to the finish line. Meanwhile, the Raiders are hitting reset again, this time under new head coach Klint Kubiak.
Las Vegas hasn’t made the playoffs since 2021, and while their record (3-14) speaks volumes, divisional games rarely go as expected.
Los Angeles Chargers (Home & Away)
The Chargers took both games from Kansas City last year, including the neutral-site season opener in São Paulo, Brazil.
They earned a Wild Card spot but fizzled out in a 16-3 loss to New England. With Mike McDaniel now calling plays as offensive coordinator, L.A. is clearly all-in on maximizing Justin Herbert’s prime.
These matchups will be pivotal in deciding whether the AFC West crown can return to Arrowhead.
AFC Showdowns: Familiar Faces, New Dynamics
Buffalo Bills (Away)
Buffalo’s had the Chiefs’ number in the regular season, extending their win streak to five against Kansas City with a November win.
But the Bills’ postseason ended in heartbreak-an overtime loss to Denver-and the fallout was swift. Sean McDermott is out, Joe Brady is in.
Expect fireworks when these two meet again.
Cincinnati Bengals (Away)
Joe Burrow’s turf toe derailed the Bengals’ 2025 hopes, and Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the third straight year.
It’s hard to believe this team was in the AFC title game just a few seasons ago, but this version hasn’t been able to recapture that magic. Still, a healthy Burrow is never a matchup to overlook.
Indianapolis Colts (Home)
The Colts were riding high at 8-2 before the wheels came off.
A season-ending injury to Daniel Jones in Week 14 started a seven-game losing streak, including a 23-20 overtime loss to the Chiefs. This rematch will bring back memories of that dramatic finish-and a chance for KC to assert dominance over a team still trying to find its footing.
Miami Dolphins (Away)
The Dolphins stumbled to a 7-10 finish, prompting the dismissal of Mike McDaniel-who, in a twist, now finds himself in the division as the Chargers’ offensive coordinator.
Miami turned to Jeff Hafley as their new head coach, signaling a shift in direction. The Chiefs will look to take advantage of a team in transition.
New York Jets (Home)
A historically bad season for the Jets-literally.
They became the first team since interceptions became an official stat in 1933 to go an entire season without one. Aaron Glenn’s first year at the helm went sideways quickly, and now Frank Reich is in as offensive coordinator.
The Chiefs will be heavy favorites in this one, but in the NFL, nothing’s ever a given.
New England Patriots (Home)
The Patriots are back-and fast.
Mike Vrabel took over and immediately turned things around, guiding New England to an AFC title behind rookie QB Drake Maye. They fell short in Super Bowl LX, but the foundation looks strong.
This will be the first Chiefs-Patriots clash since 2023, when Kansas City won 27-17 in Foxborough. With Maye now under center, this one has all the makings of a marquee matchup.
NFC Crossovers: West Coast Powerhouses and Rebuilding Projects
Arizona Cardinals (Home)
Arizona’s 3-14 campaign led to another coaching change, with Mike LaFleur stepping in after the firing of Jonathan Gannon.
Kyler Murray’s time with the Cardinals appears to be over, and the franchise is clearly entering a new phase. The Chiefs will look to capitalize on a team in flux.
Atlanta Falcons (Away)
Despite ending the year on a four-game win streak, the Falcons still finished 8-9 and missed the postseason for the eighth straight year.
That was enough to prompt a coaching change, as Kevin Stefanski takes over for Raheem Morris. Atlanta is talented but inconsistent-a dangerous combination if they figure things out by the time KC comes to town.
Los Angeles Rams (Away)
The Rams are coming off a 12-win season and an NFC Championship Game appearance.
Matthew Stafford, at age 37, finally got his MVP. They fell to the Seahawks in the playoffs, but this is a team that’s still very much in the mix.
A road trip to L.A. is never easy, and this one could have playoff implications.
San Francisco 49ers (Home)
San Francisco made the playoffs but got steamrolled by Seattle in the Divisional Round, 41-6.
Still, this is a team that knows how to win and has the kind of defensive front that can make life difficult for any quarterback. A classic AFC-NFC showdown at Arrowhead is always worth circling on the calendar.
Seattle Seahawks (Away)
The defending champs.
Seattle capped off a 14-3 season with a 29-13 win over New England in Super Bowl LX. There’s been some chatter that this could be the 2026 season opener, with the Chiefs traveling to face the champs.
But Patrick Mahomes’ injury timeline could complicate that. Regardless of when it happens, this is a heavyweight bout.
What’s Next?
The NFL will release the full schedule-including dates and times-sometime in mid-May. Until then, the Chiefs know what they’re up against.
A mix of revenge games, rising rivals, and championship-caliber opponents awaits. After a rare season without a division title, Kansas City’s path back to dominance starts now.
And if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past decade, it’s this: never count the Chiefs out.