After three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, the Kansas City Chiefs had a disastrous 2025 season defined by injuries and several close losses. To watch the Chiefs this season could mean a return to glory or more disappointing performances.
Although the Chiefs struggled last year, they’ll still get at least six primetime games this season. That’s plenty of opportunities for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the rest of the Chiefs to prove themselves on national TV.
Die-hard fans are going to watch every Chiefs game this season, and this guide will show you how. Keep reading to learn what channels the Chiefs will air on, which TV and streaming providers you’ll need, and how to watch some games for free.
What channel shows Kansas City Chiefs games?
In-market fans can watch the Chiefs on CBS during most of the 2026 regular season. Other games will air on your local FOX affiliate, and national channels like ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video. The team’s Monday Night Football matchups in Weeks 1 and 15 will also simulcast on ABC.
Fans outside the Kansas City market can use NFL Sunday Ticket to watch those regional CBS and FOX broadcasts live and on demand.
2026 Kansas City Chiefs TV schedule
The 2026 Chiefs season arrives after a 6-11 campaign that ended without a playoff appearance. Isiah Pacheco is gone, Kenneth Walker III joins the backfield, and the defense has a new look. Kansas City’s TV schedule will now show how quickly Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid can reset the team’s direction.
Track the team’s entire path back to the postseason using the table below, which features every 2026 Chiefs game time and channel listing.
NFL - Kansas City Chiefs Schedule
| Week | Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 15 | 4:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Saturday, Aug. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | TBD | |
Preseason | Friday, Aug. 28 | 8:00 p.m. | TBD | |
Week 1 | Monday, Sept. 14 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 20 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 27 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 4 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 5 | Bye Week | — | — | — |
Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 18 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 25 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 8 | Sunday, Nov. 1 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 8 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 15 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 22 | 1:00 p.m. | ||
Week 12 | Thursday, Nov. 26 | 8:20 p.m. | ||
Week 13 | Thursday, Dec. 3 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 14 | Sunday, Dec. 13 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 15 | Monday, Dec. 21 | 8:15 p.m. | ||
Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 27 | 4:25 p.m. | ||
Week 17 | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
Week 18 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Best TV plans for watching the Kansas City Chiefs
There are honestly several TV plans that exist that offer the local and national channels you’ll need to watch the Chiefs. But our research found that there are some that stand above the rest.
We like YouTube TV and Amazon Prime because they’ll get you every Chiefs game this season. Here’s more information about these services and why they’re essential for Chiefs fans.
Best Overall
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) provides access to your local CBS and FOX affiliates, as well as every national channel you’ll need to watch the Chiefs, except the streamers. It’s also the exclusive distributor of the league’s out-of-market service, NFL Sunday Ticket.
Exclusive Games
The Chiefs will have at least one game streaming on Prime Video ($8.99–$17.98/mo.) in 2026. But the streamer is home to Thursday Night Football for the whole league, so your football fix can still be satisfied even when Kansas City isn’t playing.
Out-of-Market Coverage
If you don’t live in the region that shows Chiefs games on Sundays, a subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket is all you need to watch those games and others.
Most traditional TV providers will give you access to the bulk of Kansas City Chiefs games during the NFL season. Availability still depends on your location and the league’s broadcast rules, while select streaming-exclusive games may require separate subscriptions.
Use the table below to compare which popular TV providers offer the core NFL channels.
| Provider | Price | CBS | FOX | ESPN | NBC | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $84.99–$171.98/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$103.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | — | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $65.00–$135.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
Watch the Kansas City Chiefs for free
You can watch some Chiefs games for free with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna. Games airing on ABC, CBS, FOX, or NBC are available through local broadcast channels, which means in-market fans can often get many games without paying for a live TV plan.
Before buying an antenna, use Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator to see which local channels are available in your area. You can also check our Best OTA Antennas guide for recommended options.
If you haven’t picked a TV plan for this season, free trials from live TV streaming services like DIRECTV, Fubo, and YouTube TV may also help you catch Chiefs games for a limited time. Prime Video’s 30-day free trial can cover Chiefs games that stream exclusively on Amazon.
Get tickets to see the Chiefs!
Buy Kansas City Chiefs tickets through our partner, StubHub — your source for the best deals on Chiefs games and more.
How to watch the Kansas City Chiefs FAQ
Where can I watch Chiefs preseason games?
All three Chiefs preseason games will air locally on KSHB 41. The NBC affiliate will also carry Sunday Night Football in the KC area.
Can I stream Chiefs games without cable?
Chiefs fans can stream games with a live TV streaming service that includes FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN, and ABC. You can also stream select games on Amazon Prime Video and Peacock Premium. Out-of-market fans can stream Sunday afternoon games with NFL Sunday Ticket.
When is the Chiefs' bye week?
The Chiefs have an exceptionally early Week 5 bye this season. Because of the early break, the team will have to grind through 13 consecutive regular-season games to finish out the year.
How can I listen to Chiefs on the radio?
Locally, you can listen to preseason and regular-season Chiefs games on the radio on 96.5 The Fan. Spanish-language radio broadcasts are available on TICO Sports.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, analyzed the 2026 Kansas City Chiefs schedule and its specific channel designations. He then evaluated top TV and streaming providers based on their network lineups. Finally, Alex recommended services factoring in price, game count, and broader NFL coverage to help every Chiefs fan watch within their budget.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our review methods.
