The Chargers 2026 schedule will be out soon, but the opponents are already determined for next season.
The Chargers will play their regular division opponents as well as teams from the AFC East and NFC West in 2026.
They will then host the same place finisher in the AFC South as well as travel to play the the same place finishers from the AFC North and NFC South.
Here are the Chargers 2026 opponents:
Chargers Home Opponents
The Chargers Week 3 fourth-quarter rally over the Broncos was perhaps the most thrilling home game at SoFi Stadium in 2025. Down by a touchdown, Justin Herbert led a game-tying drive before Cameron Dicker hit a walk-off, 43-yard field at the buzzer. This should once again be an epic clash against two teams with their sights set on an AFC West title.
The Chiefs return to Southern California after the teams played in Brazil to open the 2025 season. Kansas City spent its first four picks in the 2026 NFL Draft on defensive players, including selecting a pair of cornerbacks, so keep an eye on how new Chargers Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel has his group prepared for that new-look unit.
Will we see No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza at SoFi Stadium? That all depends on when the game is and whether the rookie quarterback is in the starting lineup by then. The Chargers have won five straight home games against the Raiders, a stretch where the Bolts defense has held Las Vegas to 20 points or fewer in each game.
The Jets will return to SoFi Stadium for the first time since 2020 as the Bolts look for their sixth straight win over New York. The Jets tied for the NFL’s worst record at 3-14 a year ago and selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2 overall, one of three first-round selections New York made in 2026.
The Chargers and Patriots will meet in a rematch of their Wild Card game from January, and you can bet the Bolts offense will be motivated to put together a better showing than what we saw in the postseason. The Chargers will also be looking for their first win over New England at SoFi Stadium.
The Chargers will look to be ready for a Cardinals team that employs a new head coach (Mike LaFleur) after ending the 2025 season on a league-worst, nine-game losing streak. The Bolts defense will key on some exciting young offensive playmakers, including recent No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love at running back.
These California teams haven’t met since 2022 and the 49ers have never played the Chargers at SoFi Stadium. But there should be plenty of intrigue for this one given the talent level each team possesses on both sides of the ball.
Hello again, Houston. The Chargers and Texans will meet for the second straight season and third time since January of 2025 if you include their Wild Card playoff matchup. The Bolts offense will face one of its toughest tasks of the season against a stout Texans defense, while the Chargers defense will have their hands full against quarterback CJ Stroud and Co.