Broncos must expect Chiefs' best shot in Week 1 following huge announcement

Broncos must expect Chiefs' best shot in Week 1 following huge announcement originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Though the NFL won't officially release the entire 2026 regular season schedule until Thursday night, we already know who the Denver Broncos will play in Week 1.

The NFL has chosen the Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs to kick off the annual Monday Night Football slate in Week 1 this coming season . The game will be played on Monday, September 14 and though the announcement about where that game would be played was delayed, it will be at Arrowhead Stadium. If Broncos Country was excited for a big challenge and a chance for the Broncos to prove themselves right out of the gate, they've got it.

However, this is not the kind of game to get excited about and look at as a sure early-season win, because it's anything but that. Broncos, Chiefs kick off regular season in Monday Night Football opener The Chiefs were a thorn in the Broncos' side for the better part of a decade. The Broncos have finally started to turn that corner and swept the season series between the teams last season.

But for anyone who feels like the scales are tipped in Denver's favor long-term need to rethink things. When Broncos fans saw this game announced, there might have been some early excitement. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL late last season, won't be available for this game, right?