Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Chargers, Week 1 2026

NFL·Week 1 SoFi Stadium, Inglewood·September 13, 2026
Arizona Cardinals ARI 0-0, 0-0 Away
September 13, 2026 8:25 pm
-- d
-- h
-- m
-- s
Los Angeles Chargers LAC 0-0, 0-0 Home
Standings
AFC West NFC West AFC NFC League
# Team
1 Broncos
2 Chiefs
3 Raiders
4 Chargers
# Team W L PCT PF PA DIFF HOME AWAY
1 49ers 101.000277+200-01-0
2 Seahawks 101.0001310+31-00-0
3 Cardinals 00.000000--
4 Rams 01.000727-200-10-0
W: Wins · L: Losses · PCT: Win Percentage · PF: Points For · PA: Points Against · DIFF: Point Difference · HOME: Home Record · AWAY: Away Record
# Team L PF PA DIFF HOME AWAY
1 Ravens 0000--
2 Bills 0000--
3 Broncos 0000--
4 Texans 0000--
5 Bengals 0000--
6 Browns 0000--
7 Colts 0000--
8 Jaguars 0000--
9 Chiefs 0000--
10 Raiders 0000--
11 Chargers 0000--
12 Dolphins 0000--
13 Jets 0000--
14 Steelers 0000--
15 Titans 0000--
16 Patriots 11013-30-00-1
L: Losses · PF: Points For · PA: Points Against · DIFF: Point Difference · HOME: Home Record · AWAY: Away Record
Playoffs
# Team W L PCT PF PA DIFF HOME AWAY
1 49ers 101.000277+200-01-0
2 Seahawks 101.0001310+31-00-0
3 Cardinals 00.000000--
4 Falcons 00.000000--
5 Panthers 00.000000--
6 Bears 00.000000--
7 Cowboys 00.000000--
8 Lions 00.000000--
9 Packers 00.000000--
10 Vikings 00.000000--
11 Saints 00.000000--
12 Giants 00.000000--
13 Eagles 00.000000--
14 Buccaneers 00.000000--
15 Commanders 00.000000--
16 Rams 01.000727-200-10-0
W: Wins · L: Losses · PCT: Win Percentage · PF: Points For · PA: Points Against · DIFF: Point Difference · HOME: Home Record · AWAY: Away Record
Playoffs
# Team W L PCT PF PA DIFF HOME AWAY
1 49ers 101.000277+200-01-0
2 Seahawks 101.0001310+31-00-0
3 Cardinals 00.000000--
4 Falcons 00.000000--
5 Ravens 00.000000--
6 Bills 00.000000--
7 Panthers 00.000000--
8 Bears 00.000000--
9 Bengals 00.000000--
10 Browns 00.000000--
11 Cowboys 00.000000--
12 Broncos 00.000000--
13 Lions 00.000000--
14 Packers 00.000000--
15 Texans 00.000000--
16 Colts 00.000000--
17 Jaguars 00.000000--
18 Chiefs 00.000000--
19 Raiders 00.000000--
20 Chargers 00.000000--
21 Dolphins 00.000000--
22 Vikings 00.000000--
23 Saints 00.000000--
24 Giants 00.000000--
25 Jets 00.000000--
26 Eagles 00.000000--
27 Steelers 00.000000--
28 Buccaneers 00.000000--
29 Titans 00.000000--
30 Commanders 00.000000--
31 Patriots 01.0001013-30-00-1
32 Rams 01.000727-200-10-0
W: Wins · L: Losses · PCT: Win Percentage · PF: Points For · PA: Points Against · DIFF: Point Difference · HOME: Home Record · AWAY: Away Record
Recent Form
Cardinals
L @ GB 38-42
L vs DAL 13-34
W @ LV 27-14
L vs CAR 30-33
Chargers
L vs LA 18-20
L vs SF 17-41
W @ HOU 27-7
Form Comparison
Cardinals vs Chargers
10 20 50
Win-loss trend: each win +1, each loss −1
Game Preview

Cardinals vs Chargers is only the second Week 1 meeting these two have ever had, and the first with Los Angeles at home. The Chargers went 11-6. Arizona won three games and moved on from both its quarterback and its head coach.

Kickoff is 4:25 PM ET on Sunday, September 13 at SoFi Stadium, 1:25 local. From that point this page updates on its own: live score, game leaders, box scores, play-by-play with the game flow chart and team statistics, no refresh required.

Cardinals vs Chargers is also the third straight season Jim Harbaugh has opened with something to prove in January.

Cardinals vs Chargers Week 1 2026, kickoff 4:25 PM ET on Sunday September 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on CBS

Cardinals vs Chargers Start Time, TV Channel and Live Stream

DateSunday, September 13, 2026
Kickoff4:25 PM ET / 3:25 PM CT / 2:25 PM MT / 1:25 PM PT
TVCBS
VenueSoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Arizona time1:25 PM, no clock change from Pacific
Home teamLos Angeles Chargers

CBS carries Cardinals vs Chargers in the late Sunday window. Coverage is regional rather than national, so the market map decides, and Sunday Ticket handles the rest. Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, which is why Phoenix and Los Angeles are on the same clock in September.

At SoFi, bags must be clear and no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one gallon freezer bag, plus a clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Clear bags cannot be tinted or patterned. Anything oversized goes to a paid bag valet at the stadium corners or back to the car. The SoFi Stadium policies page lists every exception. The full slate is on the 2026 NFL schedule.

Harbaugh's Postseason Problem

Los Angeles has gone 11-6 in both of Jim Harbaugh's seasons and lost in the wild card round both times, 16-3 to New England in January after a similar exit against Houston the year before. Combined score across those two games: 48-15.

The regular season has not been the issue. The Chargers went 5-0 in prime time last year, a franchise record, and 5-1 in the division, and Harbaugh had five players named to the Pro Bowl. Justin Herbert threw for 3,727 yards with 26 touchdowns and added 498 rushing yards.

Arizona Starts Over Under Mike LaFleur

The Cardinals fired Jonathan Gannon after three seasons and a 15-36 record, then hired LaFleur on a five year deal. He spent the last three years as offensive coordinator of the Rams, whose 2025 offense led the NFL in points per game at 30.5 and in total yards at 394.6. Nathaniel Hackett calls the plays in Arizona; Nick Rallis stays on as defensive coordinator for a fourth season.

The quarterback is new too. Kyler Murray played five games last season before a foot injury, and Arizona released him on March 3 after seven years. Jacoby Brissett, who started the final 12 games, keeps the job after a new contract with a $10 million raise settled a three way competition with Gardner Minshew and third round rookie Carson Beck, so he takes the first snap of Cardinals vs Chargers.

Cardinals vs Chargers Details Worth Knowing

The series barely exists in Week 1. This is only the second season opener between the two franchises and the first in Los Angeles.

The roof settles the weather. SoFi Stadium sits under a fixed translucent canopy with open sides, so a warm September afternoon in Inglewood stays comfortable in the seats.

Rosters are not final. Cuts to 53 land at 6:00 PM ET on Sunday, August 30, with waiver claims the next day. Follow the Cardinals and Chargers pages, and watch the first NFL standings of the year form.

Cardinals vs Chargers FAQ

What time is Cardinals vs Chargers?

Kickoff is 4:25 PM ET on Sunday, September 13, 2026. That is 3:25 PM CT, 2:25 PM MT and 1:25 PM PT.

What channel is Cardinals vs Chargers on?

CBS, in the late Sunday afternoon window. Coverage is regional, and NFL Sunday Ticket carries it out of market.

Who starts at quarterback for Arizona?

Jacoby Brissett. He signed a new contract with a $10 million raise this summer, ending a competition with Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck.

Who is the Cardinals head coach?

Mike LaFleur. Arizona hired him on a five year deal after firing Jonathan Gannon, who went 15-36 in three seasons. LaFleur was the Rams offensive coordinator for the previous three years.

Is Kyler Murray still with the Cardinals?

No. Arizona released him on March 3, 2026, after seven seasons. A foot injury limited him to five games in 2025.

What bags are allowed at Cardinals vs Chargers?

Clear bags no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches with no tint or pattern, one gallon clear freezer bags, and clutches up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Oversized bags can be checked at a paid bag valet.

Why is Arizona on the same clock as Los Angeles?

Arizona does not observe daylight saving time, so from March to November Phoenix matches Pacific time rather than Mountain.

How did both teams finish in 2025?

Los Angeles went 11-6, finished second in the AFC West and lost 16-3 to New England in the wild card round. Arizona won three games.

Cardinals vs Chargers puts a rebuilt Arizona roster and a first year head coach against a team whose only remaining question is January. Check back on game day for inactives and the live score.

Last updated: August 27, 2026