Chiefs-Ravens AFC Title Game Rematch to Open 2024 Season, NFL Announces

Tim Capurso | May 13, 2024

Jan 28, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) shakes Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's (right) hand following the AFC Championship Game at M&T Bank Stadium. / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

NFL fans received a Monday morning surprise, as the league announced the first game of the 2024 regular season, two days before the full schedule is slated to be released.

The defending-champion Kansas City Chiefs will host the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of the 2024 AFC championship on Thursday, September 5 at 8:20 p.m. ET at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

The game will be televised nationally on NBC and will be available to stream on NFL+.

Lamar vs. Mahomes to kick off the 2024 season. 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/IY8EaV0M6V

— NFL (@NFL) May 13, 2024

Kansas City, winners of two straight Super Bowls and three of the last five Lombardi Trophies, once again finds itself on the national stage to kick off an NFL season. The Chiefs defeated the Houston Texans to open the 2020 season but were bested by the Detroit Lions in last year's primetime regular season kickoff.

Meanwhile, Baltimore will be looking to exact revenge on Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who hold a 4-1 edge against Lamar Jackson and company in their respective careers, following the 17-10 postseason loss in the AFC title game in January.

The Philadelphia Eagles' Week 1 tilt against the Green Bay Packers in Brazil is the only other 2024 matchup that has been revealed. The league's full schedule will be released on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network.