The Kansas City Chiefs were given a bit of a surprise boost when it comes to this year's schedule and a change from recent seasons. ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted out this year's international matchups, with KC being excluded from the list. This is an undeniable advantage for a team that has constantly traveled and played more football than any other franchise during the team's dynastic run. Being left off the international slate is a clear break and lessens the team's 2026 travel.
Looking at the matchups, it is noteworthy that the New England Patriots are included with a late-season trip to Munich, Germany. The defending AFC champs will take on the Detroit Lions in a road game that serves as a potential advantage for the Chiefs.
Any AFC playoff team forced to put on extra miles and readjust to a major time difference offers the Chiefs a clear advantage. Not only is KC spared from having to go through international travel, but one of the clear threats in the AFC will be a part of this year's slate. Last year, the Chiefs were forced to open the season in São Paulo, Brazil, where the Los Angeles Chargers would pull off the upset, and Kansas City's season simply never recovered.
Chiefs spared becoming a part of league's 2026 international slate
While it is understandable that the league wants to grow the game, it presents an undeniable disadvantage when it comes to travel and rest. Kansas City was given a reminder of this to start the 2025 season and had every reason to hope that the team would be given a year off from the league's efforts to continue to grow its fanbase.
New England isn't the only notable rival that is slated for a late-season international game, with the Cincinnati Bengals scheduled to take on the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain, in Week 9. This is yet another schedule oddity that could work in Kansas City's favor as the Bengals appear poised to bounce back and once again be a piece of the AFC playoff picture.
Forcing the team to travel and face far fewer air miles than the Chiefs is a clear rest advantage and gives KC a bit of an edge. It will be interesting to watch how the league's biggest international slate impacts teams overall and whether being left off this year's schedule benefits Kansas City as expected.
Regardless of the answer, there is no debating that it is exciting not only to see the Chiefs left off the international slate, but also to be handed the chance to open the season in style in Arrowhead with a division win against the Denver Broncos.
Add us as a preferred source on Google