2026 NFL schedule release: Chiefs-Broncos to face off in 'Monday Night Football' season premiere

The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos will face off in the 2026 Monday Night Football season premiere on September 14 at 8 p.m. ET, airing on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes, with the venue still to be determined. The matchup features significant quarterback uncertainty: Broncos starter Bo Nix is recovering from an ankle injury sustained in the AFC Divisional Round, while Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15 of last season. The game marks the first meeting between the teams since Denver ended Kansas City's nine-consecutive AFC West division title streak.