Chiefs and Broncos to play on 'Monday Night Football' in Week 1
The Chiefs and Broncos will clash on "Monday Night Football" in Week 1. Here's what to know about the date, time and more.
The Week 1 finale is set. Leaks and announcements continue to trickle out in advance of the 2026 NFL schedule release, filling up the fall calendar with plenty of football games. ESPN and ABC will play a big role in that calendar, which begins in Week 1 on Monday, Sept.
14 and will run all the way to Super Bowl 61 this year. The network announced on May 12 that it will be the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos to kick off the "Monday Night Football" slate – a marquee matchup with no shortage of storylines to finish off Week 1. Patrick Mahomes hopes to make his return from a torn ACL on that September night.
Bo Nix should be making his return from a fractured ankle that ended his playoff run after a divisional round win. Fans will also get a look at the Super Bowl 60 MVP, Kenneth Walker III , for the first time in a Chiefs' jersey. The same can also be said of Jaylen Waddle , who will make his Broncos debut.
MORE: Tracking latest news, rumors, updates about 2026 NFL schedule Of course, it will also be a first look at Travis Kelce , who opted to pass on retirement and return for a 14th NFL season. The location of the contest is still to be determined, but one team will try to start the season strong with a big win over a division rival. In an AFC West race that figures to be close, someone is going to gain an early advantage.