The Kansas City Chiefs will be staying on home soil in 2026, as the NFL's full international slate has been announced and the reigning AFC champions are notably absent from the lineup. While the league continues to expand its global footprint with a record nine games set to be played across five different countries, the Chiefs won't be packing their passports for any of these overseas matchups.
This news comes as a bit of a surprise, especially considering that Kansas City has two opponents on their 2026 schedule who are set to host international games. The most promising opportunity for Chiefs fans to see their team abroad was always the Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, who were slated to host a game in Madrid, Spain. However, the league has now confirmed that the Cincinnati Bengals, not the Chiefs, will be the ones traveling to the Spanish capital to face the Falcons.
The Chiefs' international absence became clear as the league announced hosting teams one by one. The season kicks off in Melbourne, Australia, with the San Francisco 49ers taking on the Los Angeles Rams—a game that had already been ruled out for Kansas City since the Rams are a road opponent, but the Australia showcase was always a long shot. The Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was also off the table, as neither team appears on the Chiefs' schedule.
Other international hosts include the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders in London, the Detroit Lions in Munich, Germany, and the New Orleans Saints in Paris, France—none of which are on Kansas City's dance card. The 49ers will also host a game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, but since San Francisco is scheduled to visit Arrowhead Stadium in 2026, that matchup is already spoken for.
With all nine international slots now filled and the Chiefs officially shut out, the question remains: how do Chiefs Kingdom feel about staying stateside? For a team that has dominated the NFL landscape in recent years, missing out on the global stage might sting a little. But it also means one less travel hurdle in what promises to be another grueling campaign. Whether you're planning to gear up for a potential international adventure or just stocking up on red and gold for home games, the Chiefs' absence from the international schedule is just one more storyline to track as we await the full 2026 schedule release.