AFC title game set for Jan. 25 as Patriots visit Broncos with Super Bowl berth on the line

Championship Sunday: Patriots at Broncos

The NFL’s postseason reaches its decisive stage on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when the New England Patriots face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. With a trip to Super Bowl LX at stake, the matchup carries both immediate pressure and historical context, given the franchises’ prior playoff meetings and Denver’s tradition of being difficult to beat at home in January.

The game is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver. For New England, it represents a return to the conference title game after several seasons away, while Denver enters as a top seed seeking to convert a strong regular season into a championship run.

Storylines entering the game include how New England handles the environment and altitude, whether Denver’s defense can force turnovers, and which team better controls the pace with its run game and situational football. Conference championships often turn on a small set of plays—third-down stops, red-zone efficiency, and special teams execution—rather than raw yardage totals.

The bigger playoff picture

The AFC winner will advance to Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. On the same day, the NFC Championship Game will determine the other finalist, setting up the league’s marquee event after a postseason defined by shifting contenders and a wide-open field.

For fans, the stakes are simple: one win from the Super Bowl, one loss from the end. For the teams, Sunday is also a referendum on roster construction and coaching decisions made years earlier—how well each organization built depth, developed quarterbacks, and managed late-season health to arrive at this moment with enough versatility to beat an elite opponent.