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Broncos, Chiefs to kick off 2026 season on MNF

By Thomson Reuters May 12, 2026 | 9:50 AM

The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos take their AFC West rivalry to primetime in ​the opening “Monday Night Football” ‌game of the 2026 season.

The location was not yet announced.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is working his way back from a ‌torn ​ACL and has ⁠targeted a return for ⁠the Week 1 matchup.

Broncos quarterback Bo Nix also ended his season with an injury that required ​surgery. Head coach Sean Payton said Nix is expected to ⁠be “full speed” for training ⁠camp after two procedures ​on his ankle.

Denver swept the Chiefs last ​season and won the division ‌for the first time since 2015, the last time the Broncos won the Super Bowl.

Kansas City won ⁠the West from 2016-24 but finished in third place in the division in 2025.

The ⁠Chiefs ‌were rumored to be ⁠under consideration to visit the ​Seahawks ‌in the NFL Opening ​Night game ⁠that features the defending Super Bowl champions.

The NFL has not announced Seattle’s opponent with the full NFL schedule to be released Thursday night.

–Field ​Level Media