KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The wait is over. Today, the Kansas City Chiefs officially kick off the 2025 football season with a month-long celebration designed to ignite fans, unite the community, and set the stage for another unforgettable chapter that echoes through Chiefs football history.
The celebration begins today with the unveiling of the 2025 Red Friday Flag – a hallmark tradition that rallies fans while supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City – and unfolds into a powerhouse lineup of fan events, all-new must-watch premieres, and action-packed games. Together, these moments capture the energy of a global franchise at the height of its cultural and competitive power.
“There’s nothing like the start of football season in Kansas City,” said Chiefs President Mark Donovan. “This month-long celebration brings together our fans, players, and partners to honor what it means to be part of Chiefs Kingdom – here at home and around the world. Whether you’re in Kansas City or cheering from afar, there’s something for everyone to experience.”
The countdown is on. Chiefs football is back. And the Kingdom is ready to be heard – louder than ever before.
For the full schedule of events and details on how to join the celebration, visit www.chiefs.com/kickoff.
- 8/6 – Red Friday Run Presented by G.E.H.A Registration Goes Live: Sign up for the annual Virtual 5K that brings fans together from every corner of the Kingdom. More details below.
- 8/7 – Red Friday Flag Presale Exclusively on Fanatics: Get early access to the 2025 limited-edition flag benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities.
- 8/9 – First Preseason Game: Chiefs at Cardinals (KSHB / Chiefs Preseason TV Network): Tune in for the Chiefs first preseason game at State Farm Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff.
- 8/14 – ESPN’s The Kingdom Premiere: Watch the highly anticipated ESPN Originals docuseries about the Kansas City Chiefs on Disney+ and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. CT.
- 8/15 – Second Preseason Game: Chiefs vs. Seahawks (KSHB / Chiefs Preseason TV Network): Tune in for the Chiefs second preseason game at Lumen Field. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. CT kickoff.
- 8/19 – Fantasy Football Draft Experience Presented by Tickets For Less: Fans can purchase tickets to go all-in to an exclusive live draft event featuring ESPN’s Field Yates.
- 8/21 – Chiefs Kingdom Impact Report: The team reveals its 2025 community impact and celebrates with corporate and local civic leaders at the Chiefs Kickoff Luncheon benefiting the KC Chamber.
- 8/22 – Chiefs Charity Game: The Chiefs take the field for their preseason finale at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium against the Bears, joined by Junior Chiefs Cheer for a night of heart and highlights that will benefit Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). The game is scheduled for a 7:20 CT kickoff (KSHB / Chiefs Preseason TV Network).
- 8/28 – Battle Sports Kansas City Classic: Cincinnati vs. Nebraska on ESPN: College Football returns to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium as Cincinnati takes on Nebraska in a primetime matchup.
- 8/29 – The Franchise Presented by G.E.H.A: Season 6 premieres exclusively on Chiefs YouTube.
- 9/4 & 9/5 – Chiefs House Brazil Activation: For fans traveling to Brazil, Chiefs House is an immersive fan hub bringing the full Chiefs experience to São Paulo, Brazil.
- 9/5 – Red Friday Flag Sales Presented by McDonald’s: Buy your Red Friday flag at your local Kansas City metro-area McDonald’s or online at shop.chiefs.com.
- 9/5 – Chiefs Season Kickoff Game in Brazil: The Chiefs take on the Chargers in Brazil, fans can watch exclusively on YouTube and YouTubeTV (and KSHB locally) at 7 p.m. CT.
- 9/14 – Chiefs Home Opener: Chiefs vs. Eagles (FOX): All eyes will be on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the first home game of the 2025 season.
RED FRIDAY VIRTUAL 5K REGISTRATION PRESENTED BY G.E.H.A
Wednesday, August 6 – Registration Opens
Lace up your running shoes and show your Chiefs pride from wherever you are with the return of the Red Friday 5K. The Chiefs and Arrowhead Events are hosting the 6th Annual Red Friday Run, presented by G.E.H.A. This year’s race is virtual, and you can sign up at www.chiefs.com/redfriday/run.
RED FRIDAY FLAG PRESALE
Thursday, August 7 – Flag Presale (Presale runs from 8/7 through 8/11)
For the 12th consecutive year, one of the team’s most beloved traditions returns and the club will sell a limited-edition commemorative flag. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City. A special limited-quantity, online-only presale will go live on shop.chiefs.com. The presale will run from 8/7 at 10 a.m. CT through 8/11 at 11:59 p.m. CT unless sold out earlier.
PRESEASON GAME 1 AT ARIZONA
Saturday, August 9 – First Preseason Game: Chiefs at Cardinals (KSHB / Chiefs Preseason TV Network)
Tune in for the Chiefs first preseason game at State Farm Stadium. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff.
ESPN’S THE KINGDOM PREMIERE
Wednesday, August 14 – ESPN Originals docuseries premieres on ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+
Produced by Words + Pictures in association with Skydance Sports, NFL Films, 2PM Productions, and Foolish Club Studios, the six-episode ESPN Originals Series on the Kansas City Chiefs documents the franchise’s storied history and remarkable modern-day dynasty, all told through unprecedented access to the team’s 2024 season. All six episodes will premiere on ESPN+ and Disney+ at 8 p.m. CT on August 14, while Episodes 1 & 2 will debut on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. CT. For more information, visit www.chiefs.com/TheKingdom.
PRESEASON GAME 2 AT SEATTLE
Friday, August 15 – Second Preseason Game: Chiefs at Seahawks (KSHB / Chiefs Preseason TV Network)
Tune in for the Chiefs second preseason game at Lumen Field. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. CT kickoff.
FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT EXPERIENCE PRESENTED BY TICKETS FOR LESS
Tuesday, August 19 – 6 – 10 p.m. | Hall of Honor, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Whether you’re a fantasy football pro or a first-time drafter, the Fantasy Football Draft Experience, presented by Tickets For Less, offers fans a unique way to build their teams inside of one of the NFL’s most iconic venues. The event includes a happy hour Q&A with expert advice from ESPN’s Field Yates and the option for private suite draft packages.
CHIEFS KINGDOM IMPACT REPORT
Thursday, August 21
The annual Kingdom Impact Report will be released on Thursday, August 21, highlighting the charitable work of the Chiefs and Hunt Family Foundation over the past year – both in Kansas City and beyond. For more information, visit www.chiefs.com/Community.
CHIEFS CHARITY GAME | PRESEASON GAME 3 VS. CHICAGO
Friday, August 22 – GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Recognized as the top philanthropic game of its type in the NFL, the Chiefs Charity Game continues a long-standing commitment of supporting the local community that was started by team founder Lamar Hunt four decades ago. Once again, the beneficiary of the game will be Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Junior Chiefs Cheer will make a special appearance. CASA volunteers are community volunteers who stand up and speak out to help children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Jackson County CASA recruits, trains, and supports these CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children who are in the Jackson County Family Court system until they have a safe and permanent home. Fans can tune in on KSHB / Chiefs Preseason TV Network at 7:20 p.m. CT.
BATTLE SPORTS KANSAS CITY CLASSIC CINCINNATI VS. NEBRASKA
Thursday, August 28 – GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
In this Battle Sports Kansas City Classic, the University of Cincinnati will serve as the designated home team in Kansas City in a face-off against the University of Nebraska. Arrowhead Events is excited to once again host major college football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and celebrate the spirit of college football for this Big 12 vs. Big Ten showdown. Tickets are available at www.chiefs.com/tickets/ and www.ticketmaster.com. The Thursday night primetime game will kick off at 8 p.m. CT and be televised on ESPN.
THE FRANCHISE SEASON PREMIERE
Friday, August 29 – Streaming on the Chiefs Official YouTube Channel
Go behind the scenes of the Kansas City Chiefs like never before in the season premiere of “The Franchise,” presented by G.E.H.A, the club’s in-house series. The new season will spotlight key moments, untold stories, and never-before-seen footage during the 2025 season.
CHIEFS HOUSE BRAZIL ACTIVATION
Thursday, September 4 & Friday, September 5 – São Paulo, Brazil
Chiefs House brings the heart of Chiefs Kingdom to Brazil with a two-day fan event featuring live entertainment, appearances by Chiefs Legends, Chiefs Cheerleader performances, exclusive merch, Kansas City BBQ and official watch parties – all designed to unite fans from around the world ahead of kickoff at Corinthians Arena. Tickets are not available yet, but all information can be found at www.chiefs.com/brazil.
RED FRIDAY AND CHIEFS 2025 SEASON KICKOFF IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL
Friday, September 5 | 6 a.m. CT
The Chiefs will celebrate the longstanding Kansas City tradition – a time when the community comes together to cheer on the Chiefs while giving back to and supporting local families in need. This year, Red Friday will take place in both Kansas City and São Paulo, Brazil, as the Chiefs go head-to-head with the Los Angeles Chargers at Corinthians Arena to kick off the season. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start and will stream on YouTube and YouTube TV (and KSHB locally).
HOME OPENER CHIEFS VS. EAGLES
Sunday, September 14 | 3:25 p.m. CT