The Kansas City Chiefs will begin their 2026 NFL campaign with a high-stakes Week 1 showdown against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. The league confirmed on Tuesday that the Monday night game will serve as the season opener, marking the first time since 2013 that the two AFC West rivals will meet in prime time to start the year.
The Broncos last defeated the Chiefs on Christmas night in 2013, ending a 10-year losing streak at Arrowhead. That victory came without Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a season-ending knee injury two weeks prior. Mahomes' health remains a focal point as the Chiefs prepare for the divisional rematch.
By all accounts, Mahomes is expected to be ready for the season opener. The defending AFC West champions are set to face their division rivals in the first game of the year, a scenario that will likely fuel Mahomes' determination to perform at an elite level from the opening snap.
The Monday night game in Kansas City is one of three prime-time matchups locked in for Week 1. The league has also scheduled the Dallas Cowboys at the New York Giants for Sunday night and the San Francisco 49ers against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia for Thursday night. The only remaining prime-time game to be announced is the Wednesday night opener in Seattle, where the Seahawks will host an opponent yet to be revealed.
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