The Kansas City Chiefs are set to begin their NFL campaign at home against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football, with Arrowhead Stadium expected to provide a lively backdrop before kickoff.
The pregame festivities are also scheduled to include a flyover featuring a B-2 Spirit stealth bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base. Kickoff between the Chiefs and Broncos is scheduled for 8:15 pm ET. Mahomes will have another former Chiefs quarterback joining him at Arrowhead for the season opener, with former Kansas star Alex Smith set to make an appearance during the pregame festivities. Smith is scheduled to take part in the traditional ceremony by banging the drum. The Broncos, meanwhile, arrive after making a run to the AFC Championship and will look to silence the home crowd by spoiling Kansas City’s opening-night celebration.
With football back in KC, Chiefs fans are hoping their team can return to its status as a perennial contender after a disappointing 2025 season. There will be another reason to celebrate in KC this evening as Kansas City welcomes back its star quarterback. The Chiefs will have Patrick Mahomes back under center after he suffered a serious injury last season.
Kansas City missed the playoffs last year after finishing third in the AFC West, bringing an end to its long run of postseason appearances. The home crowd could make things difficult for Denver, but Chiefs fans will have plenty to celebrate even before the game begins.
