The 2025 NFL season gets underway in Brazil with a blockbuster AFC West clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The action unfolds at São Paulo’s Corinthians Arena, where two of the league’s premier quarterbacks — Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert — will square off in a marquee matchup as part of the NFL’s International Series.
Advertisement
For the Chargers, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Not only are they aiming to snap a painful seven-game skid against Kansas City, but they’ll also be eager to set the tone early in their hunt for a first division crown since 2009. The Chiefs, meanwhile, will look to maintain their stranglehold over their divisional foe and kick off their campaign in style on foreign soil.
Date
Friday, September 5, 2025
Time
8:00 pm ET / 7:00 pm CT/ 5:00 pm PT
Venue
Corinthians Arena (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
TV Channel
N/A
Streaming
YouTube, Fubo
Buy Tickets
Odds
-118 (Chiefs) | +145(Chargers)
Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs roster & injury newsLos Angeles Chargers team news
The Chargers will be forced to soldier on without star left tackle Rashawn Slater, who is sidelined for the season.
Even so, there’s reason for optimism in Los Angeles. Second-year standout Joe Alt continues to anchor the line as a franchise building block, while offseason addition Mekhi Becton beefs up the interior. The return of new running back Najee Harris, fresh off that bizarre Fourth of July fireworks mishap, injects fresh firepower into a ground-heavy scheme. Expect the Bolts to lean on tempo and ball control, testing a Chiefs defense that looked soft against the run late in 2024, especially during the postseason.
Advertisement
Should Harris be limited by the lingering eye issue, L.A. has the air attack to fall back on. Kansas City’s secondary ranked just 18th in passing defense a year ago (218.8 yards per game), and they’ll have their hands full with Ladd McConkey, who exploded for more than 1,100 yards in a dazzling rookie season.
Position
Players
Offense
Justin Herbert, Trey Lance (QB); Austin Ekeler, Isaiah Spiller, Eno Benjamin (RB); Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Jalen Guyton, Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston (WR); Gerald Everett, Jared Cook, Michael Bandy (TE); Corey Linsley, Zion Johnson, Trey Pipkins III, Jamaree Salyer, Mekhi Becton, Austin Deculus (OL)
Defense
Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa, Drue Tranquill, Chris Rumph II, Nick Niemann (LB/DE); Sebastian Joseph-Day, Austin Johnson, Christian Covington, Darius Philon (DT); Asante Samuel Jr., J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Mingo, Nasir Adderley, Derrick Kindred, Josh Palmer (CB); Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman, Alohi Gilman (S)
Special Teams
Michael Badgley (K), Cole Mazza (P), Camaron Cheeseman (LS)
Kansas City Chiefs team news
On the flip side, Kansas City’s passing game looks threadbare. With Rashee Rice suspended, rookie Jalen Royals potentially unavailable, and veteran Hollywood Brown still nursing an injury, the Chiefs enter Week 1 without their usual bite. That puts the spotlight on young wideout Xavier Worthy, who needs to iron out his inconsistency, and on legendary tight end Travis Kelce, hoping to prove he’s still got fuel in the tank.
Of course, Patrick Mahomes is always the great equalizer. The two-time MVP has been nearly flawless in openers, throwing for 2,059 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just two picks across seven Week 1 starts. His track record against the Chargers is just as impressive: 3,270 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 12 meetings.
Position
Players
Offense
Patrick Mahomes, Gardner Minshew (QB); Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, Isiah Pacheco, Brashard Smith (RB); Hollywood Brown, Jason Brownlee, Nikko Remigio, Rashee Rice, Jalen Royals, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Xavier Worthy (WR); Noah Gray, Travis Kelce, Jared Wiley (TE); Mike Caliendo, Creed Humphrey, Jaylon Moore, Wanya Morris, Hunter Nourzad, Jawaan Taylor, Josh Simmons, Trey Smith, Kingsley Suamataia (OL)
Defense
Mike Danna, Ashton Gillotte, Malik Herring, Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Derrick Nnadi, Omarr Norman-Lott, Charles Omenihu, Jerry Tillery (DL); Jeffrey Bassa, Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, Jack Cochrane, Cooper McDonald, Drue Tranquill (LB); Chamarri Conner, Bryan Cook, Kristian Fulton, Jaden Hicks, Trent McDuffie, Chris Roland-Wallace, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nohl Williams (DB)
Special Teams
Matt Araiza (P), Harrison Butker (K), James Winchester (LS)
Chargers vs Chiefs head-to-head record
The Chargers and Chiefs have crossed paths 130 times in their storied rivalry, including one postseason clash. Kansas City holds the upper hand with 71 victories, while Los Angeles has come out on top 58 times, and the two sides have finished level just once.
Advertisement
Which channel is Chargers vs Chiefs game on?
The Los Angeles Chargers vs Kansas City Chiefs game in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season will air live exclusively on YouTube in the US. Fans in the local markets will still be able to catch the coverage on Fubo (Try for free today!).
More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.
For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action, NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.
Advertisement
How to buy Chargers vs Chiefs ticket
The showdown between the Chargers and Chiefs is set for Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, a venue that packs in up to 49,205 fans and promises a fiery atmosphere on game day.
Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.
Check the link below for the full breakdown of how to purchase tickets to NFL games.
Advertisement
READ MORE: NFL 2025 Tickets: Prices, deals, season tickets & membership information
Chargers vs Chiefs Fantasy Football
When it comes to fantasy football lineups, this Week 1 clash between the Chiefs and Chargers offers plenty of intriguing options — with a slight tilt toward Kansas City’s playmakers. The Chiefs head in as 3-point favorites and have owned this rivalry of late, giving their stars a bit more fantasy appeal.
Starting with the obvious: Patrick Mahomes is still a must-roll-out option at quarterback. While L.A.’s defense has the talent to make life difficult, Mahomes has historically thrived in both season openers and against the Chargers specifically. He’s piled up 3,200+ career passing yards and 27 touchdowns in 12 games versus Los Angeles, making him a locked-in QB1 despite the matchup.
Advertisement
On the perimeter, Xavier Worthy takes on a larger role with Rashee Rice sidelined, giving him immediate fantasy relevance as Mahomes’ top wideout. Travis Kelce continues to be an automatic start at tight end, even if his numbers dipped a touch last season, as his target share remains sky-high. Meanwhile, Marquise Brown is a sneaky upside play, especially with the opportunity for expanded snaps as he works back from injury. The one caution flag in Kansas City is Isiah Pacheco, who faces a stout Chargers run defense that has historically slowed the Chiefs’ ground game.
For the Chargers, expectations should be tempered. Justin Herbert is best viewed as a QB2 this week, given Kansas City’s secondary has kept him in check, holding him under 14 fantasy points in recent meetings. Najee Harris is a risky play coming off his eye injury, and given the Chiefs’ dominance against the run, he’s more of a “sit if possible.” Instead, Omarion Hampton could provide some sleeper value as the Bolts’ backfield complement. The one no-brainer on L.A.’s side is Ladd McConkey, who exploded onto the scene last year and should be peppered with targets again, giving him WR2 upside with the chance for more.
Fantasy Takeaways:
Start: Patrick Mahomes [19.5 projected fpts], Xavier Worthy [13.9 projected fpts], Travis Kelce, Marquise Brown, Ladd McConkey [15.9 projected fpts]
Advertisement
Caution: Justin Herbert (QB2) [16.8 projected fpts], Najee Harris (injury/risky play)
Sleeper: Omarion Hampton (upside RB)
Avoid: Isiah Pacheco unless you’re desperate in deeper formats
Chargers vs Chiefs Game Predictions
The Chiefs are tipped to have the upper hand once more, with the Chargers expected to labor on offense in the absence of injured left tackle Rashawn Slater.
Patrick Mahomes may not need fireworks to get the job done — a steady, controlled performance should suffice. Kansas City is likely to grab an early cushion before shifting gears into a game plan built around efficient, short-yardage passes and a steady dose of Isiah Pacheco in the ground attack.
Advertisement
According to the odds, the Chiefs hold a 56.9% chance of victory, while the Chargers are given a 42.8% shot at springing an upset. The slim remainder accounts for the rare possibility of a Week 1 stalemate.
Chargers vs Chiefs Odds
Spread: Chiefs -3 (-118)
Total: 45.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Moneyline: -175 (Chiefs) | +145 (Chargers)
More NFL news and coverage