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Patrick Mahomes is no stranger to the spotlight, and tonight will be no different. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is leading the reigning AFC champions into Sao Paulo, Brazil, for their season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With Taylor Swift’s fiancé Travis Kelce sharing the headlines, fans want to know: will Mahomes take the field at Corinthians Arena? Let’s break it down.
Will Patrick Mahomes play against the Los Angeles Chargers tonight? (Sept. 5)
Yes, Mahomes will play against the Chargers in São Paulo. The Chiefs’ quarterback was not listed on Kansas City’s final injury report for Week 1. His offensive line has been a concern since last year’s Super Bowl blowout, but preseason reps with rookie left tackle Josh Simmons boosted confidence.
With a mostly clean bill of health around him and Andy Reid confirming starters are ready, Mahomes is set to lead the offense in Brazil.The only notable absences for Kansas City are rookie wideout Jalen Royals, who is out with knee tendonitis, and defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, who is questionable with an ankle injury. Wide receiver Marquise Brown, who dealt with an ankle issue, was a full participant in practice and will play.
Backup Carson Wentz is on hand, but his presence is strictly precautionary. The Chiefs know this stage belongs to Mahomes.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers: how to watch and game details
For those outside Sao Paulo, the NFL’s global push means you can still catch every snap. Here’s what you need to know about tonight’s broadcast:
- Date: Friday, Sept. 5, 2025
- Time: 8 p.m. ET kickoff (pregame starts 7 p.m. ET)
- Venue: Corinthians Arena, São Paulo, Brazil
- Watch: YouTube (free) | Local TV in Kansas City (KSHB 41) and Los Angeles (NBC4)
- Announcers: Rich Eisen (play-by-play), Kurt Warner (analyst), Stacey Dales (sideline)
Fans in the U.S. can stream the game for free on YouTube. If you have a YouTube TV base plan trial or subscription, you can also watch through YouTube TV. The broadcast will appear on the app’s homepage, or you can find it directly on the NFL page within YouTube TV.
Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce headline storylines beyond the field
Brazilian fans have snapped up tickets not just to watch Mahomes and the Chiefs, but also in hopes of spotting Taylor Swift, newly engaged to Travis Kelce. Swift’s attendance is unconfirmed, but her global presence has helped the NFL attract new fans.Mahomes and Kelce addressed the media ahead of the game, and when Kelce was asked about distractions from his engagement, Mahomes cut in: “Engaged.” It was a quick correction that underscored their friendship and how proud Mahomes is of his teammate.Kelce himself added, “Ever since I’ve been dating Taylor, life has been fun. It’s been exciting. Obviously, there’s a lot more eyes [on me] and I accept that, but I’m living life and living on a high, I guess.”The Chiefs enter Friday night looking for a 10th straight AFC West title and their fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance. For Mahomes, this game is about setting the tone. For the NFL, it’s a showcase of football’s reach, from Kansas City to São Paulo, with millions watching worldwide.