On Wednesday, the NFL launched the 2025-26 common season schedule. Followers of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs ought to make plans for some late nights — and to plan two main holidays round soccer. Right here’s what to know concerning the crew’s 17 regular-season video games.
The NFL doesn’t purchase into ‘Chiefs fatigue’
You could have a pal or cousin dwelling in one other market groaning that the Chiefs have too many high-profile slots. Somebody you’ve interacted with on social media would possibly even swear off watching Kansas Metropolis in prime time for worry that just a few seconds of the printed could characteristic a high-profile romantic associate of a sure tight finish. Somebody someplace nonetheless clings to anger over perceived biased officiating, vowing to by no means tune in to the Chiefs — or probably soccer usually — once more.
The NFL seems able to name the bluff of its most indignant shoppers.
Through early schedule leaks, we’ve got recognized that the Chiefs could be visiting the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving and internet hosting the Denver Broncos on Christmas evening. The primary third of the season, nevertheless, will characteristic Kansas Metropolis early and infrequently.
In Week 1, the Chiefs will face the Los Angeles Chargers in Brazil on a Friday evening. The occasion, which is able to air without cost on YouTube, will nearly actually set a document for the most-streamed stay occasion. Kansas Metropolis will then seem on two of the primary six Sunday Night time Soccer telecasts on NBC — touring to face the New York Giants in Week 3 whereas internet hosting the Detroit Lions in Week 6. The Chiefs can even play a street sport in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars on ESPN’s Week 5 version of Monday Night time Soccer.
Photograph by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs
Even the primary two Sundays with 3:25 Arrowhead Time kickoffs could have huge viewership. In Week 2, the Chiefs will host the Philadelphia Eagles in a Tremendous Bowl rematch that might be nationally televised on FOX. The overwhelming majority of the nation will doubtless additionally see their CBS-affiliate broadcast the Chiefs internet hosting the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4 — exterior a small sampling of markets doubtless getting the Las Vegas Raiders internet hosting the Chicago Bears.
Many soccer followers might be uninterested in seeing the Chiefs win. The league is betting, nevertheless, that lots of the disillusioned will tune in to root for Kansas Metropolis’s opponents.
The Chiefs doubtless have a brutal first half of the season
A caveat in assessing the schedule must be that we have no idea which groups will fail to take an anticipated subsequent step, which groups will rise above meager expectations, and — most significantly — which squads might be blessed with optimum well being. All issues being equal, nevertheless, the Chiefs’ first 9 video games seem frontloaded with the very best opponents.
Kansas Metropolis will play 5 of the opposite seven squads who superior to the second spherical of final season’s playoffs in that span (a sixth, the Houston Texans, will subsequently go to Arrowhead in Week 14). With at all times powerful divisional contests in opposition to the Chargers and Raiders blended in, we could study a lot about how the Chiefs will rebound from a disappointing Tremendous Bowl loss over the season’s first half.
Kansas Metropolis will grow to be effectively acquainted with the highest of the 2025 NFL Draft
Photograph by Perry Knotts/Getty Photographs
Former Penn State go rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado’s two-way celebrity Travis Hunter have been broadly thought-about the very best gamers in final month’s draft. The Chiefs will first encounter each high prospects on the street through the first 5 video games of the season, with Carter now a Large and Hunter a Jaguar.
Late within the season, the Chiefs will get their preliminary look the draft’s high choice, former Miami quarterback Cam Ward, once they go to the Tennessee Titans throughout Week 16.
Kansas Metropolis can even now face generationally proficient former Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty — now a Raider — twice every season, starting with a house contest in Week 7 earlier than concluding the season by touring to Sin Metropolis in Week 17.
Time will inform on the rookies’ star energy, however 4 of the draft’s high six picks will line up in opposition to the Chiefs of their first season.