Chiefs already know about an advantage they have on their 2026 NFL schedule despite having one of the toughest slates in the league
The Kansas City Chiefs are going to be playing the Denver Broncos in Week 1 on Monday Night Football on ESPN.
The Kansas City Chiefs already have an advantage on their 2026 schedule. No, it’s not like they have something that no other team has, but they are starting the season at home, and that’s huge. On Tuesday, it was announced that the Chiefs would be opening their season against the Denver Broncos on Primetime TV. Only the details outside of that were not yet disclosed.
“You always wonder how you’re going to start the season,” ESPN Play by Play Analyst Joe Buck said on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “And our answer is a game between Denver and Kansas City. We do not know the location. That’s kind of the crazy part. It notes that this schedule release remains fluid until Thursday. … It’s a great matchup in the AFC West. Hopeful within that matchup we get Mahomes and Nix, which makes it that much better.”
Later, it was announced that the Chiefs would be given the nod to start the year at home. This is a bit surprising, considering the Chiefs were swept by the Broncos last season, and Denver was the No. 1 seed in the AFC and almost reached the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are in a position to start the year at home, and that’s an advantage that Denver now doesn’t have.
There’s no other factors that could make things difficult with the Chiefs at home Week 1
Yes, the World Cup is set to be in Kansas City, but that won’t affect the team in August. And, the Kansas City Royals, who would need the parking lot next door, aren’t going to be playing at home in Week 1 or Week 2. So, that’s not an issue either.
Chiefs’ 2026 opponents
- Broncos (Home and Away)
- Chargers (Home and Away)
- Raiders (Home and Away)
- San Francisco 49ers (Home)
- New England Patriots (Home)
- New York Jets (Home)
- Arizona Cardinals (Home)
- Indianapolis Colts (Home)
- Buffalo Bills (Away)
- Cincinnati Bengals (Away)
- Los Angeles Rams (Away)
- Miami Dolphins (Away)
- Seattle Seahawks (Away)
Of course, being AFC West rivals means the two teams will play twice a year, every year. One of those games will be at home, and one will be away. Starting a season with a rivalry game at home could be a huge boost to your season, especially if you win the game. It gets you started on a momentous run that any team could benefit from. So, both teams want this, and of course, both fan bases want this game at home.