Week 2
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers
September 20, 2026
SoFi Stadium
AFC West Rivalry
Raiders–Chargers
An AFL feud forged by Al Davis
A charter AFL rivalry between the Raiders and Chargers that has continued in the same division since 1960. It blends decades of AFC West familiarity with the unusual twist that Raiders patriarch Al Davis began his career on the Chargers' staff.
The Rivalry
The Raiders and Chargers both debuted in the 1960 AFL, with the Chargers dominating early and sweeping the first six meetings. The balance shifted after Al Davis — a Chargers assistant — left to become Oakland's head coach in 1963, building the Raiders into a power that would lead the series for decades. The rivalry has produced famous oddities, most notably the 1978 "Holy Roller," when the Raiders won 21-20 on a controversial deliberate fumble that prompted an NFL rule change. The clubs met once in the postseason, the 1980 AFC Championship Game, a shootout the Raiders won 34-27 before capturing Super Bowl XV.
What's at Stake
Played twice a year in the AFC West, this matchup carries direct weight in division races and playoff positioning. It also stitches together a tangle of West Coast geography: the Raiders have called Oakland, Los Angeles and now Las Vegas home, while the Chargers shifted from Los Angeles to San Diego and back to Los Angeles. Both fan bases lean toward an underdog, hard-edged identity.
Famous Moments
- 1960 — The Los Angeles Chargers overwhelmed the Oakland Raiders 52-28 in the first meeting.
- 1978 — The Raiders won 21-20 on the "Holy Roller," a controversial play that led to an NFL rule change.
- 1980 — Oakland beat San Diego 34-27 in the AFC Championship Game, then won Super Bowl XV.
- 2021 — The Raiders won a Week 18 overtime thriller 35-32 to clinch a playoff berth.
- 2023 — Las Vegas crushed the Chargers 63-21 in a record-setting blowout.
The Raiders–Chargers Games in 2026
The Two Teams
AFC West
Las Vegas Raiders
Allegiant Stadium · Las Vegas
Three-time Super Bowl champions with a famed outlaw "Raider Nation" identity, the Raiders have called Oakland, Los Angeles and now Las Vegas home.
AFC West
Los Angeles Chargers
SoFi Stadium · Inglewood
Founded in 1960, the Chargers spent decades in San Diego before returning to Los Angeles in 2017.
Plan the Trip
Raiders-Chargers is a Western road trip wrapped around an AFC West grudge. The Raiders host at Allegiant Stadium, a black-glass dome steps from the Las Vegas Strip, ideal for combining football with a casino weekend. The Chargers play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, an architectural landmark anchoring Los Angeles's modern sports district.
Frequently Asked Questions: Raiders–Chargers
The two teams first met in 1960. A charter AFL rivalry between the Raiders and Chargers that has continued in the same division since 1960. It blends decades of AFC West familiarity with the unusual twist that Raiders patriarch Al Davis began his career on the Chargers' staff.
Played twice a year in the AFC West, this matchup carries direct weight in division races and playoff positioning. It also stitches together a tangle of West Coast geography: the Raiders have called Oakland, Los Angeles and now Las Vegas home, while the Chargers shifted from Los Angeles to San Diego and back to Los Angeles. Both fan bases lean toward an underdog, hard-edged identity.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Las Vegas Raiders host at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas; Los Angeles Chargers play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
