The AFC Championship Game is set. The Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Empower Field at Mile High.
Denver defeated Buffalo 33-30 in overtime on Saturday. New England dominated Houston 28-16 on Sunday. The winner advances to Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026.
What time does the AFC Championship Game 2026 start?
The AFC Championship Game kicks off on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. West Coast fans can tune in at 12:00 PM Pacific Time. Central Time Zone viewers should mark calendars for 2:00 PM. Mountain Time fans catch the action at 1:00 PM.
CBS starts pregame coverage about two to three hours before kickoff. This gives fans plenty of time to catch all the analysis and predictions from the broadcast team.
The NFC Championship Game follows at 6:30 PM Eastern Time on Fox.
Which teams play in the AFC Championship Game?
Denver Broncos (15-3)
The top-seeded Broncos defeated Buffalo 33-30 in overtime. Denver overcame four turnovers and capitalized on five Bills mistakes.
Bo Nix led the game-winning drive in overtime. Denver’s defense recorded 68 sacks during the season. Head coach Sean Payton improved to 5-0 in playoff games following a bye week. This marks Denver’s first AFC Championship since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2015.
New England Patriots (15-3)
The Patriots defeated Houston 28-16 in the Divisional Round. New England’s defense forced four C.J. Stroud interceptions. Marcus Jones returned one interception 26 yards for a touchdown.
Drake Maye threw three touchdowns in the victory. Kayshon Boutte made a spectacular one-handed catch to seal the win. Head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense dominated Houston. The Patriots seek their first Super Bowl since 2018.
Where is the AFC Championship Game 2026 being played?
Empower Field at Mile High in Denver hosts the game. The Broncos earned home field advantage as the number one seed.
The stadium seats 76,125 fans and sits one mile above sea level at 5,280 feet. The altitude affects visiting teams. Denver holds a 17-5 all-time playoff record at home.
This marks Denver’s first home playoff game since January 2016 when they defeated New England 20-18 before winning Super Bowl 50.
When do AFC Championship tickets go on sale?
Tickets went on sale Monday, January 19. Season ticket holders got first access. The general public can buy through verified platforms.
Where to Buy AFC Championship Game tickets?
The NFL Ticket Exchange serves as the official marketplace. Ticketmaster partners with the NFL and provides another official source.
StubHub offers the largest selection of resale tickets with a 100% FanProtect Guarantee. The platform features interactive seat maps showing exact views from your section. StubHub lists tickets ranging from around $400 for upper deck seats to over $3,000 for premium locations.
SeatGeek provides a Deal Score system that rates ticket value. Vivid Seats shows total pricing with fees included. TickPick offers no hidden fees.
Upper deck tickets start between $400 and $700. Lower bowl seats run $700 to $1,500. Club seats range from $1,500 to $3,000. Premium suites cost $3,500 to $10,000 or more.
Demand is extremely high for Denver’s first AFC Championship in 10 years. Prices continue rising as game day approaches. The Patriots-Broncos rivalry adds extra appeal.
Only buy from verified platforms to avoid scams. All modern playoff tickets are mobile-only. Never buy from unverified sources like Craigslist or random Facebook sellers.
What channel is the AFC Championship on?
CBS broadcasts the AFC Championship Game with exclusive rights. Jim Nantz and Tony Romo handle the broadcast duties for CBS’s biggest games. You can watch on your local CBS station using cable or satellite service. A digital antenna also picks up CBS for free within range of your local station.
CBS provides comprehensive pregame coverage starting several hours before kickoff. The network brings in former players and coaches to break down the Broncos-Patriots matchup and share predictions.
How to Watch AFC Championship Game live stream Online?
Paramount Plus serves as the primary streaming home for all CBS sports programming. The Essential plan costs $8.99 per month and includes ads during live sports. The Premium plan runs $13.99 monthly with no ads on recorded content. Annual plans offer savings at $89.99 yearly for Essential and $139.99 for Premium. The service works on smart TVs, phones, tablets, computers and gaming consoles.
FuboTV provides another streaming option with a 5-day free trial for new users. The Pro plan costs $84.99 monthly for 219+ channels. The Elite plan runs $94.99 per month for 291+ channels. New subscribers get $20 off the first month. The service includes unlimited cloud DVR with recordings stored for nine months.
YouTube TV includes CBS in most markets for $82.99 per month with 130+ channels. New subscribers save $15 monthly for the first five months at $67.99. The service offers unlimited cloud DVR.
Hulu + Live TV costs $89.99 monthly with ads or $99.99 without ads. Both plans include Disney+ and ESPN Select at no extra cost. The package features 85+ live channels including CBS.
The CBS Sports app streams games with a TV provider login. You can use your cable or satellite credentials to access the stream on mobile devices. The NFL Plus app offers mobile streaming on phones and tablets for $6.99 per month.
Can I stream the AFC Championship Game for free?
Several free options exist to watch the game. A digital HD antenna provides the best completely free solution. Connect an antenna to your television and tune to your local CBS station. This works perfectly for anyone living within broadcast range of a CBS affiliate. Antennas cost $20 to $40 one-time.
FuboTV offers a 5-day free trial for new subscribers. Sign up before the game and cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges. The service provides full access to CBS during the trial period.
The CBS Sports app provides free access to highlights and news. Live game streaming requires a TV provider login or Paramount Plus subscription.
Never use illegal streaming sites. These platforms often contain malware and provide poor video quality.
Who is favored to win the AFC Championship 2026?
The Denver Broncos enter as favorites with home field advantage. The defense ranked second in yards allowed and led the NFL with 68 sacks.
The Patriots bring playoff experience. Drake Maye’s mobility poses problems. New England’s defense forced four Stroud interceptions against Houston.
This marks a rematch of the 2016 AFC Championship. Denver won 20-18 at Mile High before capturing Super Bowl 50. Denver will likely be favored by 4 to 6 points.
AFC Championship Game History & Records
The AFC Championship Game has crowned conference champions since 1970. The winner receives the Lamar Hunt Trophy named after the Kansas City Chiefs owner.
The Pittsburgh Steelers hold the record with eight AFC Championship victories. The New England Patriots made 11 championship appearances during their dynasty years.
The Broncos won their last AFC Championship in January 2016 by defeating New England 20-18. Peyton Manning led that team to victory in Super Bowl 50. This marks Denver’s ninth AFC Championship appearance. The franchise won three Super Bowl titles in 1997, 1998 and 2015.
The Patriots seek their first Super Bowl appearance since 2018. New England won six Super Bowl titles during their dynasty era from 2001 to 2018.
The AFC Championship Game delivers must-see football action on Sunday, January 25 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time on CBS. Stream the game on Paramount Plus or watch free with a digital antenna. Tickets are available through StubHub and other verified platforms. The winner advances to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026.
