Chiefs-Chargers just got named NFL’s best international game by The Athletic

The NFL is going even more global in 2025, and the Kansas City Chiefs are front and center.

While it's not the official season opener, the league decided to make some noise on the Friday of Week 1 with a game in São Paulo, Brazil. The YouTube-streamed contest will feature a marquee AFC West rivalry between the Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, and according to The Athletic’s Mike Jones, it’s the best international matchup of the year.

In a recent ranking of the NFL’s newly announced international schedule, Jones placed the Chiefs-Chargers showdown at No. 1. From the star power involved to the stakes of a (likely) very competitive divisional race, the Chiefs-Chargers game brings plenty of excitement right out of the gate.

The Chiefs-Chargers game will take place on Friday, September 5 at 8:00 p.m. ET at Corinthians Arena and will stream live on YouTube.

Everyone is looking forward to the Chiefs-Chargers game in Brazil.

Since 2001, Kansas City has posted a 29-17 record against the Chargers, including 16 wins in their last 20 matchups. Patrick Mahomes is 8-2 against the Bolts as a starter, and the Chiefs are aiming to continue that trend in one of the league’s boldest scheduling moves to date.

That said, the Chargers' record against the Chiefs might not look that intimidating, but somehow the rivalry is always ultra-competitive. In 2024, the Chargers lost by a combined 9 points in two games, and the second game in Week 14 required a last-second Matthew Wright field goal for K.C. to win.

The Chiefs have won seven straight in the series, but four of those games have been by 3 points or less. That means NFL fans should expect another thrilling matchup to (almost) start the new season. (Let's remember that the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys are officially leading out the NFL'sc schedule the night before.)

The one potential pitfall here comes with the location itself. The last time the NFL hosted a game in São Paulo, the slippery turf at Corinthians Arena complicated matters. Not only was the hybrid surface ultra-slick, which led to traction issues and slippage all night, but Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love also went down with an MCL injury with just seconds left in the game.

Full list of NFL International Games for 2025:

• Friday, Sept. 5 – Chiefs vs. Chargers – Corinthians Arena | São Paulo, Brazil
• Sunday, Sept. 28 – Vikings vs. Steelers – Croke Park | Dublin, Ireland
• Sunday, Oct. 5 – Vikings vs. Browns – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | London, England
• Sunday, Oct. 12 – Broncos vs. Jets – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium | London, England
• Sunday, Oct. 19 – Rams vs. Jaguars – Wembley Stadium | London, England
• Sunday, Nov. 9 – Falcons vs. Colts – Olympic Stadium | Berlin, Germany
• Sunday, Nov. 16 – Commanders vs. Dolphins – Bernabéu Stadium | Madrid, Spain

With seven games across five countries, the NFL's global push is bigger than ever. But if the early hype is any indication, the biggest spotlight belongs to Brazil.