The 2026 NFL season will begin with a marquee Monday Night Football clash as the Denver Broncos host the Kansas City Chiefs. Since Sean Payton took the helm in 2023, the team has gone 3‑0 in such night‑time appearances, setting a confident tone for the new campaign.
A Grueling Opening Stretch
What follows is a gauntlet of elite competition. In the first six weeks Denver will meet five teams that qualified for the 2025 playoffs, including a home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Rams, a road trip to face the San Francisco 49ers and the Chargers, and a welcoming matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
The schedule also earmarks two holiday fixtures that draw extra attention. On Black Friday the Broncos travel to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Christmas Day will see them host the Buffalo Bills in a rematch of last year's festive showdown, a game Denver won en route to a 3‑2 record on that date.
Adding to the prime‑time allure, the Broncos are slated for three additional night games before the midpoint of the season, underscoring the league's intent to showcase the club early and often.
Beyond the opening stretch, Denver is set to play ten contests against last year's playoff qualifiers, a statistic that highlights the difficulty of the slate but also the opportunity for momentum building. The preseason will see the Broncos face the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings as they fine‑tune their roster ahead of the regular‑season battle.