The Cardinals travel to SoFi Stadium to open the 2026 NFL season against the Chargers, kicking off Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET. Kalshi traders have Los Angeles at 81% to win, with Arizona priced at 19%.
For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. See full disclaimer below. Kalshi is not affiliated with the NFL.
When and where do the Cardinals play the Chargers in Week 1 of the 2026 season?
Kickoff is Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:25 p.m. ET at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
Who is favored to win the Cardinals vs. Chargers season opener?
Los Angeles is a heavy favorite off back-to-back playoff appearances under Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers went 11-6 in 2025 for the second straight season but were shut down again in the wild-card round, losing to New England 16-3. Quarterback Justin Herbert set a career high in sacks taken, and the team responded by hiring Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator with an explicit goal of getting the ball out of Herbert's hands faster.
Arizona enters a full rebuild. The Cardinals went 3-14 in 2025, fired Jonathan Gannon, and hired former Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as head coach. The bigger change is at quarterback: Arizona released longtime starter Kyler Murray this offseason, and journeyman Jacoby Brissett is set to open the season under center.
Kalshi Power rankings
According to Kalshi's 2026 NFL market-implied power rankings, the Chargers enter as the No. 11 team in the league with a Power Score of 34.7 and a 60% playoff qualification price, while the Cardinals rank 30th with a Power Score of 19.0 and a 6% playoff price, a 19-spot gap heading into Arizona's Week 1 trip to Los Angeles.
What the Kalshi market says
Kalshi's contracts trade in cents, and each one pays out $1 if the outcome happens. A contract trading at 81 cents reflects a market-implied 81% probability.
As of this writing, the winner market has the Chargers at 81% and the Cardinals at 19%.
What is the point spread for Cardinals vs. Chargers in Week 1?
Kalshi traders have the Chargers favored to win by more than 9.5 points at 48%.
What is the projected point total?
Kalshi traders have the game going over 47.5 combined points at 48%.
What is the biggest storyline in the Cardinals vs. Chargers season opener?
Arizona's quarterback change is the headline. Kyler Murray's release ends his seven-year run as the Cardinals' starter, and Jacoby Brissett takes over an offense trying to find its footing under a first-time head coach.
What are the Cardinals' and Chargers' expectations entering the 2026 season?
Cardinals: Arizona finished 3-14 in 2025, its worst season in years, prompting the firing of Jonathan Gannon and the release of Kyler Murray. Mike LaFleur's first season as a head coach begins with Jacoby Brissett under center and modest expectations.
Chargers: Los Angeles finished 11-6 in 2025 for the second consecutive season under Jim Harbaugh but has yet to win a playoff game in that stretch. A retooled coaching staff around Justin Herbert is aimed at finally breaking through in 2026.
Conclusion
Kalshi traders currently have the Chargers as heavy favorites at home, with Arizona's quarterback change the biggest storyline before kickoff. Kalshi's prices for Cardinals vs. Chargers will keep moving until the game concludes.
What are the score predictions for the Cardinals vs. Chargers game? Kalshi traders have the game going over 47.5 combined points at 48%, as of this writing.
What is the spread for the Cardinals vs. Chargers game? Kalshi traders have the Chargers favored to win by more than 9.5 points at 48%, as of this writing.
Who is favored to win, the Cardinals or the Chargers? Kalshi traders have the Chargers favored, at 81% to the Cardinals' 19%.
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