With the results of Week 18 in the books, the National Football League has closed the chapter on the regular season for the 2025 season, at least as much as the Kansas City Chiefs are concerned. It's been a very forgettable year for the most part, with a few memorable moments scattered throughout, but most of us are ready to move on to the 2026 campaign (even if it's nine months away).
As the Chiefs look to retool for a rebound campaign after failing to make the NFL postseason for the first time in more than a decade, the team has finalized the list of teams that will comprise their competition for the 2026 season.
The Chiefs already knew most of their opponents for the '26 regular season based on their AFC West rivals and the league's annual rotation of divisional opponents. Everyone in the AFC West will face the AFC East and the NFC West in 2026, which sets up much of the picture, while also facing rivals two times apiece.
Beyond that, the Chiefs third-place finish in the division this season—a steep fall from their run of nine consecutive AFC West titles from 2016-2024—brings the rest of the opponents into view for 2026. A team's finish in its own division forces them to play other franchises who finished at the same level from other divisions—two against teams from the same conference and a 17th game against a team from the opposing conference. In this case, it means K.C. will play the Atlanta Falcons (representing the non-conference opponent from the NFC South) as well as the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North), and Indianapolis Colts (AFC South).
For a full rundown of what to expect, here are a list of the full opponents for the Chiefs in 2026. Remember, the full schedules will not be unveiled unti mid-May, when the league will give home dates, bye weeks, and more.
Chiefs opponents at home for the 2026 season:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Denver Broncos
- Indianapolis Colts
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers
Chiefs road opponents for the 2026 season:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Buffalo Bills
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Denver Broncos
- Miami Dolphins
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Seattle Seahawks