Chiefs vs Raiders Kickoff Time: Week 7 at Arrowhead Locks in Early

What Fans Need to Know About Chiefs vs Raiders Kickoff

This matchup lands in the league’s early slate, giving Kansas City a familiar noon local start at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. The broadcast assignment to CBS places it alongside other marquee early-window games, but the divisional stakes and stylistic contrast ensure this one cuts through the noise. In stadium terms, expect the usual early-arrival culture at Arrowhead: long tailgates, rapid ingress, and a loud opening series as the clock strikes 12:00 local.

Kickoff At-a-Glance

• Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025

• Stadium: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

• Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET | 12:00 p.m. CT | 10:00 a.m. PT | 17:00 UTC | 7:00 p.m. Cairo

• TV: CBS (check local listings)

• Streaming: Select provider apps and authenticated services in participating markets

Why the Early Window Matters for Both Sides

Early-window kickoffs at Arrowhead tend to accentuate crowd impact from the opening whistle, compressing opponent communication and making third-and-medium feel longer. For the Chiefs, that noise is an asset for a defense that thrives when it can heat the pocket and force hurried reads. It also suits Andy Reid’s script-heavy openers: a noon start, a crisp 15-play plan, and a chance to set tempo before halftime adjustments.

For the Raiders, the time slot underscores the importance of clean early-down execution. Huddle communication and operation must be airtight; burning a timeout in the first quarter can snowball when facing Kansas City’s mid-game scoring runs. Expect Las Vegas to lean on a balanced first 15 and rhythm throws to keep the rush honest in the first two possessions.

Form and Context Entering Week 7

The calendar says Week 7, which often functions as a hinge in divisional races: it’s late enough to reflect real identity, yet early enough that a single win can flip tiebreaker math. Kansas City enters at 3–3, while Las Vegas sits at 2–4 ahead of this trip, framing a classic “hold serve at home vs. steal one on the road” dynamic. The early start compresses the margin for sloppy quarters; whoever lands the first red-zone touchdown typically dictates substitution patterns and pass-rush cadence for the next 30 minutes.

First 15 Minutes: What to Watch at Kickoff

• Chiefs’ opening script vs. Maxx Crosby: Kansas City’s protection plan—chips, motions, or condensed splits—will signal how much help they’re devoting to the Raiders’ star edge.

• Raiders’ cadence and checks: Silent count and fast alignments are crucial; a delay-of-game or false start in the first two drives is the kind of hidden yardage Arrowhead feeds on.

• Field position battle: Early-window games in Kansas City often tilt on special teams; a short field can turn a 3–0 grind into a 10–0 sprint.

Planning Your Viewing

With a 1:00 p.m. ET national window, the pregame rhythm is straightforward: inactives drop 90 minutes before kickoff, and the broadcast typically hits full speed about 30 minutes out with final injury notes and schematic nuggets. If you’re heading to the stadium, budget extra time for entry—early kickoffs compress pregame routines for fans just like they do for players.

Chiefs vs Raiders isn’t just another early-window fixture—it’s a divisional barometer set precisely at 1:00 p.m. ET. Lock in the time, set your notifications for inactives, and expect the first quarter to carry outsized weight in a game where tempo, noise, and situational football decide the script.