KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Chiefs have played games internationally before. But Friday night the Chiefs will do something new, opening the season on international soil.
Here’s a run-through of everything you need to know before the Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers kick off the 2025 season in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
What to expect
The Chiefs and Chargers will meet for the first of two matchups this season on Friday night in South America. It’s not the first time the Chiefs and Chargers have played outside of the United States. In 2019, the teams played in Mexico City.
The last time these squads met, fill-in kicker Matthew Wright helped the Chiefs clinch the AFC West with the “doink for the division,” a field 31-yard field goal that knocked off the left upright at Arrowhead Stadium’s east end zone and went through to give the Chiefs a 19-17 win.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to pass as Los Angeles Chargers...
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) looks to pass as Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford (95) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)(Ed Zurga | AP)
Friday will be the third matchup between Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh since the former Michigan leader took over the Chargers gig.
The Chiefs will be going for their eighth straight win over the Chargers.
READ MORE: Everything to know about the first Red Friday of the 2025 season
The Chiefs will be without wide receiver Rashee Rice Friday as he begins a six-game suspension for his role in a six-car crash in April 2024 in Dallas, Texas. Rice pled guilty to two felonies in July and accepted his suspension after the preseason concluded.
“Losing a receiver of that magnitude that is that good, it takes away from the offense in a sense,” Mahomes said. “But at the same time, we brought in a lot of receiver depth. It won’t be just one guy. It’ll be multiple guys that will kind of do some of the stuff that Rashee has done.”
Rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals also won’t be suiting up for the Chiefs. The team ruled him out for the game due to a knee injury and he did not make the trip to Sao Paulo. Rookie defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott is questionable due to an ankle injury.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce speaks during a press conference ahead of a NFL...
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce speaks during a press conference ahead of a NFL football game against Los Angeles Chargers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)(Fernando Llano | AP)
Tight end Travis Kelce is embarking on his 13th season in the league.
“It’s the last one on the contract but I’m feeling young and ready to rock,” Kelce said Thursday before Mahomes pointed out how loose his shirt was. “It was a little tighter last year,” Kelce joked.
The Chargers went to the AFC Wild Card last year and were eliminated by the Houston Texans in a game that featured four interceptions from quarterback Justin Herbert. This season, Herbert is reunited with wide receiver Keenan Allen after the veteran wideout spent a year in Chicago.
Players to watch
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: It’s easy to say, but Patrick Mahomes once again holds the keys to a successful Chiefs season. The now eighth-year starter turns 30 later this month and is embarking on a new season while attempting to bounce back from the worst statistical season of his career.
“We got a lot of guys that are super hungry and want to go out there and put on a show,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said.
Going up against the No. 1 scoring defense from 2024, Mahomes will have a tall task ahead of him for the 2025 season-opener.
Chargers WR Ladd McConkey: The second-year wide receiver carries the bulk of the responsibilities for a Chargers offense that was 19th in passing last season.
McConkey will likely match up against Chiefs All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie, who could see more snaps in the slot after Kansas City signed Kristian Fulton this offseason.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks to the scoreboard during the first half of an...
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid looks to the scoreboard during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. The Bears defeated the Chiefs, 29-27. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)(Reed Hoffmann | AP)
What the odds say
The Chiefs are 3.5-point favorites over the Chargers in the Week 1 game. Kansas City is -170 on the moneyline, while the Chargers are +145.
The over/under for the game is set at 46.5.
ALSO READ: What oddsmakers are saying about the 2025 Chiefs season
How to watch/listen
Friday night’s game will kick off at 7:05 p.m. CT. It can be seen on YouTube or locally on NBC.
You can listen to the game on 96.5 The Fan in the Kansas City area.
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