How To Watch the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 Without Cable

CBS carries eight Chiefs games this season, with just three behind paid streaming. Here's the full schedule, what it costs, and how to watch from out of market.
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CBS carries eight Kansas City Chiefs games this season — more than any other network — and 12 of the 17 are on CBS, NBC, or FOX. Only three sit behind paid streaming: two Monday night games on ESPN and a Thursday nighter on Prime Video. If you’re watching from outside Missouri or Kansas, you’ll also need NFL Sunday Ticket. This guide covers both — and what each one costs.

The Chiefs open 2026 looking to bounce back. Kansas City finished 6–11, third in the AFC West and out of the playoffs for the first time in a decade, after Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15. Andy Reid returns for his 14th season at the helm.

In this article
What channels do you need to watch the Kansas City Chiefs?
What it costs to watch every game
Watching out-of-market games
How to stream Kansas City Chiefs games
Bottom line
FAQs

What channels do you need to watch the Kansas City Chiefs?

Every scheduled Kansas City Chiefs regular season game in 2026 airs on CBS, NBC, FOX, ESPN, or Prime Video — eight games on CBS, three on NBC, and one on FOX. The three premium games are Week 1 against Denver and Week 15 against New England on ESPN, and Week 13 at the Los Angeles Rams on Prime Video. Weeks 17 and 18 are flex games with no network assigned yet.

The Chiefs also play the Thanksgiving night game at Buffalo in Week 12, which airs nationally on NBC — free to anyone with an antenna or basic live TV service.

Here’s the full schedule with the channel for each game.

Game (All times Central) Opponent Channel
Preseason Week 1: Aug. 15 at 3:00 p.m.Los Angeles RamsKSHB 41 / NFL Network
Preseason Week 2: Aug. 22 at 6:30 p.m.@ Tampa Bay BuccaneersKSHB 41
Preseason Week 3: Aug. 28 at 7:00 p.m.Seattle SeahawksKSHB 41
Week 1, Game 1: Sep. 14 at 7:15 p.m.Denver BroncosESPN
Week 2, Game 2: Sep. 20 at 7:20 p.m.Indianapolis ColtsNBC
Week 3, Game 3: Sep. 27 at 12:00 p.m.@ Miami DolphinsCBS
Week 4, Game 4: Oct. 4 at 3:25 p.m.@ Las Vegas RaidersCBS
Week 5: BYE WEEK
Week 6, Game 5: Oct. 18 at 3:25 p.m.Los Angeles ChargersCBS
Week 7, Game 6: Oct. 25 at 7:20 p.m.@ Seattle SeahawksNBC
Week 8, Game 7: Nov. 1 at 3:25 p.m.@ Denver BroncosCBS
Week 9, Game 8: Nov. 8 at 12:00 p.m.New York JetsCBS
Week 10, Game 9: Nov. 15 at 12:00 p.m.@ Atlanta FalconsCBS
Week 11, Game 10: Nov. 22 at 12:00 p.m.Arizona CardinalsCBS
Week 12, Game 11: Nov. 26 at 7:20 p.m. (Thanksgiving)@ Buffalo BillsNBC
Week 13, Game 12: Dec. 3 at 7:15 p.m.@ Los Angeles RamsPrime Video
Week 14, Game 13: Dec. 13 at 3:25 p.m.@ Cincinnati BengalsFOX
Week 15, Game 14: Dec. 21 at 7:15 p.m.New England PatriotsESPN
Week 16, Game 15: Dec. 27 at 3:25 p.m.San Francisco 49ersCBS
Week 17, Game 16: Date TBD@ Los Angeles ChargersTBD
Week 18, Game 17: Date TBDLas Vegas RaidersTBD

What it costs to watch every Kansas City Chiefs game

The Chiefs play three “premium” games this season — two on ESPN and one on Prime Video — and covering all three costs $111.92 for the season, or $40.97 if you subscribe and cancel around each game. Every other scheduled game is on CBS, NBC, or FOX.

Premium games are the ones whose broadcast rights have been bought by streaming platforms: Monday and Thursday night matchups, international games, and holiday matchups.

Where you’re watching What you need Cost for the 2026-2027 season
In the Kansas City market, with cable or live TV already ESPN Select for the two Monday night games, plus Prime Video for Week 13 — your existing service carries CBS, NBC, and FOX $111.92
(or $40.97 subscribing and cancelling around each game)
In the Kansas City market, starting from scratch A live TV streaming service carrying local CBS, NBC, and FOX (Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or DIRECTV Stream), plus ESPN Select and Prime Video $383–$472 for the season, depending on service
Outside the Kansas City market NFL Sunday Ticket via YouTube TV, plus ESPN Select and Prime Video $721.87 for new subscribers
$904.87 for returning subscribers

Sunday afternoon games are assigned by region, so CBS and FOX show different matchups depending on where you live. Since eight Chiefs games are CBS Sunday afternoon broadcasts, out-of-market fans are the most likely to get a different game on their local channel — which is why Sunday Ticket matters here.

Watching out-of-market games

The NFL makes it challenging to watch your favorite team if you don't live close to its home market. If you're a Kansas City Chiefs fan outside Missouri or Kansas, here are two ways to watch out-of-market games:

Subscribe to NFL Sunday Ticket

NFL Sunday Ticket is designed to help fans watch out-of-market games that aren’t broadcast on their local channels. This service is perfect for fans living outside the local area.

This option is sold exclusively through YouTube TV, and new users have two pricing options:

  • NFL Sunday Ticket + YouTube TV: $240/yr (+ $67.99/mo for YouTube TV for your first 3 months, then $82.99/mo)
  • NFL Sunday Ticket only: $240/yr

Use a VPN

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to mask your location by connecting to a server in a different geographic region, helping you bypass regional restrictions and access content as if you were in a different location.

So if a game is not available in your region, you can use a VPN to connect to a server in an area where the game is being broadcast. This way, you can enjoy the game live without any interruptions.

One of the best VPNs for accessing out-of-market NFL games is NordVPN, which has servers in all 50 U.S. states. 

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How to stream Kansas City Chiefs games


Related channels Price
YouTube TV NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network $67.99/mo for first three months, $82.99/mo after
Sunday Ticket All out-of-market NFL games $40.00/mo (returning users) or $30.00/mo for 8 months (new users)
Hulu + Live TV NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network Starts at $89.99/mo
Sling TV NBC (local), FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network Starts at $60.99/mo (need Orange + Blue)
Fubo NBC, CBS (local), FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network Starts at $48.99/mo for first month, $73.99/mo after
DIRECTV Streaming NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network Starts at $89.99/mo for first month, $124.99/mo after (need Ultimate plan)
ESPN ABC, ESPN, exclusively airing 17 games $29.99/mo (need Unlimited tier)
Paramount+ CBS (local) $8.99/mo
Peacock NBC, exclusively airing Saturday game during Week 17 Starts at $10.99/mo
Amazon Prime Exclusively airing 16 Thursday night games $8.99/mo
Netflix Exclusively airing four games Starts at $8.99/mo
NFL+ Exclusively airing six games Starts at $6.99

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs with YouTube TV

YouTube TV is by-far the most comprehensive option for streaming NFL games live. You’ll get access to all local channels, plus the option to add on NFL Sunday Ticket for an additional fee, which will even grant access to out-of-market games.

Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most expensive options.

Cost What it includes
YouTube TV $67.99/mo for first three months, $82.99/mo after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
YouTube TV + NFL Sunday Ticket $82.99 per month (after promo period for new users) NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, out-of-market Sunday games

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs with Hulu

Hulu + Live TV is another excellent choice for streaming NFL games, providing access to top national and local sports networks like ABC, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, FOX, FS1, TNT, and the NFL Network.

Cost What it includes
Hulu + Live TV (Ads) $89.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Hulu + Live TV (No ads) $99.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs with Fubo

Fubo is another comprehensive service that will give you access to ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network, and many more. This can guarantee you can watch all the in-market and nationally televised NFL games.

Cost What it includes
Pro $48.99/mo for first month, $73.99/mo after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Elite $74.99/mo for first month, $104.99/mo after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network (4K)
Deluxe $109.99/mo NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network (4K + Paramount)

Watching the Kansas City Chiefs with DIRECTV Stream

DIRECTV Streaming also offers access to all the major networks that broadcast NFL games. With its basic package starting around $59.99/mo for first month, $89.99/mo after, you'll have access to networks such as ABC, NBC, and ESPN.

If you want to catch games on the NFL Network, you’ll need to go with the Choice plan or higher.

Cost What it includes
Entertainment $59.99/mo for first month, $89.99/mo after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN
Choice $64.99/mo for first month, $94.99/mo after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Ultimate $89.99/mo for first month, $124.99/mo after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Premier $129.99/mo for first month, $169.99/mo after NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, ESPN, NFL Network

Bottom line

If you’re in the Kansas City market, most of the season costs you nothing beyond the TV service you already have — 12 of the 15 scheduled games are on CBS, NBC, or FOX, including Thanksgiving night at Buffalo. The three exceptions are Weeks 1 and 15 on ESPN and Week 13 on Prime Video.

Outside Missouri and Kansas, your local CBS affiliate will be carrying other teams most Sundays, so NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV is the only way to get every game.

Weeks 17 and 18 are flex games with no date or network assigned yet, and the NFL can move games into prime time late in the season, so it’s worth checking back.

FAQs

How can I watch Kansas City Chiefs games internationally?

If you're a Chiefs fan living or traveling outside the U.S., you can still catch every game by using streaming services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. Fans can also catch the games abroad (excluding China) on DAZN with the NFL Game Pass International.

To access these platforms from abroad, consider using a VPN to bypass any potential regional restrictions and enjoy the games as if you were in the United States.

How can I watch the Kansas City Chiefs without Sunday Ticket?

You don’t need an NFL Sunday Ticket to watch the majority of the Chiefs’ games. All you need is a streaming service that offers access to major networks, such as CBS, FOX, NBC, and ESPN. You can also try using a VPN with select free streaming sites to watch NFL games.

How can I watch the Kansas City Chiefs without cable?

You can stream NFL games without cable. YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DIRECTV Stream all carry local CBS, NBC, and FOX, which covers 12 of the Chiefs’ 15 scheduled games this season.

Sling TV is the cheapest option and carries NBC, FOX, and ESPN, but it no longer offers CBS — so it would miss the eight Chiefs games on CBS.

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Author Details
Ryan L. Clancy brings a working engineer's perspective to digital security writing. He holds a Master of Engineering from the University of Limerick and spent five years as a mechanical engineer and engineering manager in New York City — experience that shapes how he analyzes VPN encryption protocols and parental monitoring apps beyond what vendor specs say. He has authored more than 220 articles for All About Cookies and has been published in Forbes and MakeUseOf.
Kate Quinlan is a Senior Editor at All About Cookies, where she has tested dozens of digital security tools and contributed to more than 370 articles spanning web hosting, VPNs, ad blockers, parental controls, and data security. Before joining AAC, she managed a team of more than 150 writers at SuperSummary, where she developed editorial standards at scale. She holds a B.A. in Professional Writing from Kutztown University.