How to Watch the AFC Championship Game: Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills

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Two teams with an epic rivalry. Two of the greatest quarterbacks to ever step onto a football field. One shot at the Super Bowl. As Taylor Swift would say, "...baby, now we got bad blood." This year's AFC Championship might be the most anticipated NFL game of the year. And if you want to know how to watch the AFC Championship game, you've come to the right place.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills will square off at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 26, adding another chapter to their storied history. The teams have met in the playoffs numerous times in recent years. In 2021, coming off the 2020 regular season, the AFC title game ended with a 38-24 Chiefs victory. In the 2022 divisional round, there were four lead changes and 25 points scored in the closing minutes of the game, eventually leading to a 42-36 Chiefs overtime win. In 2024, they met once again in the divisional round, exchanging the lead five times before Kansas City got the better of Buffalo. In sum, the Chiefs have had the Bills' number in the playoffs for years.

But that could all change. This season, the Bills handed the previously undefeated Kansas City their first loss of the season with a 30-21 win, thanks to a late-game Josh Allen rushing touchdown. Until Buffalo took the Chiefs down a peg, it seemed as if nobody in the league could touch Patrick Mahomes and company. The big question, of course, is can the Bills do it again when it matters most?

And boy does it matter. This AFC title game isn't just another playoff matchup. The Chiefs want to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row. Other teams have come close to a three-peat, but if the Chiefs can win another Super Bowl this year in New Orleans, they'll be cemented as one of the best football teams to ever play the game.

The stakes are no less high for the Bills, who famously played in four consecutive Super Bowls but lost all of them. With Allen at the helm and the Bills fanbase in the parking lot leaping through tables, the Bills haven't been better positioned to finally win a Super Bowl since the early 90s. This season, they beat both the Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, the two teams that finished with the best regular season records. As Buffalo fans brave frigid temperatures and chant "MVP" when Allen performs one miraculous play after another, it's hard not to believe (or, bill-ieve) that destiny has brought them to this moment.

Will Kansas City become the stuff of legend? Or will they be thwarted by America's new favorite team? It will be decided on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. EST on CBS and Paramount+.

How to Watch the AFC Championship Game on Paramount+

Paramount+ is CBS' streaming home and will be broadcasting this year's AFC championship game between the Bills and the Chiefs. A Paramount+ Essential subscription costs $8/month, but you can upgrade and add Showtime for $13/month. In addition to having access to CBS' NFL games, you can also watch all the Star Trek and Yellowstone series and spinoffs. Not to mention Showtime's stellar lineup of movies, shows, and documentaries.

How to Watch the AFC Championship Game on Hulu + Live TV

A subscription to Hulu + Live TV will allow you to watch CBS' coverage of this season's AFC title game. You can sign up for Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ (all with ads) for $83/month after a 3-day free trial. Or, you can get Hulu + Live TV (ad-free), Disney+ (ad-free), and ESPN+ (with ads) for $96/month. Whatever package you choose, not only will you be able to watch the big game between Buffalo and Kansas City, but you'll also have plenty of live and on-demand entertainment options available 24/7.

How to Watch the AFC Championship Game on Fubo

CBS is also available on Fubo. The Essential Plan (which is Fubo's most affordable plan) starts at $80/month and is currently discounted $5 for the first month. Here, you'll gain access to CBS, over 200 channels, unlimited DVR, and the ability to watch on over 10 screens.

How to Watch the AFC Championship Game on DIRECTV STREAM

CBS is available on DIRECTV STREAM through its Entertainment + Sports package, which typically costs around $102/month but is currently discounted to $87/month for the first two months. This plan includes CBS along with more than 90 channels, unlimited cloud DVR storage, and the ability to stream on unlimited devices within your home. Local channel availability and pricing can vary by location, so it's a good idea to confirm the details for your area before signing up.

How to Watch the AFC Championship Game from anywhere with a VPN

If you're a football fan but located somewhere outside of the United States during this year's AFC title game, you can still gain access to a U.S. streaming service like Paramount+. All you have to do is sign up for a VPN service. ExpressVPN and Private Internet Access both allow you to hide your location and watch U.S. streaming platforms. Private Internet Access starts at $2/month, while ExpressVPN plans start at $8.32/month.

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