The 2026 Cincinnati Bengals schedule begins in the preseason on August 13 when the Bengals host the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium. From there the full 2026 Cincinnati Bengals schedule includes three exhibition games, a 17-game regular season, one bye week, an international contest in Madrid, and several primetime opportunities that will shape the year for Joe Burrow and the offense.
Here is every date, time, network, and venue for the upcoming season.
2026 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule
| Date | Logo | Opponent | Time | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason | ||||
| Thursday | Detroit LionsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 7:00pm ETLocal | ||
| Preseason | ||||
| Saturday | Chicago BearsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 7:00pm ETLocal | ||
| Preseason | ||||
| Friday | at Philadelphia EaglesLincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA | 8:00pm ETCBS/Paramount+ | ||
| Sunday | Tampa Bay BuccaneersPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Houston TexansReliant Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Pittsburgh SteelersAcrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | Jacksonville JaguarsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Miami DolphinsHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | OFF | |||
| Sunday | at Baltimore RavensM&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | Tennessee TitansPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Atlanta FalconsBernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain | 9:30am ETNFLN | ||
| Sunday | Pittsburgh SteelersPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 8:20pm ETNBC/Peacock | ||
| Monday | at Washington CommandersNorthwest Stadium, Landover, MD | 8:15pm ETESPN | ||
| Sunday | New Orleans SaintsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | at Cleveland BrownsHuntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday | Kansas City ChiefsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 4:25pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Carolina PanthersBank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday | at Indianapolis ColtsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
| Thursday | Baltimore RavensPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 8:15pm ETPrime Video | ||
| Sunday | Cleveland BrownsPaycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | Time TBA ETTV TBA | ||
Preseason Results
Cincinnati finished the preseason undefeated at 3-0. The Bengals edged Detroit 16-14 at home, handled Chicago 27-9, and closed with a 30-13 win at Philadelphia on CBS/Paramount+. Those results gave the coaching staff a clean evaluation period before the regular season began.
How the Regular Season Unfolds
The Bengals open at home against Tampa Bay, then hit the road for games at Houston and Pittsburgh. A home date with Jacksonville follows before a trip to Miami. After the October 18 bye, Cincinnati visits Baltimore, hosts Tennessee, and travels to Madrid for an international game against Atlanta.
The middle and late portions of the schedule bring a steady mix of divisional battles and high-profile tests. A Sunday night home game against Pittsburgh sits in mid-November, followed by a Monday night trip to Washington and a home date with New Orleans. December includes a road game at Cleveland, a home matchup with Kansas City, a visit to Carolina, a possible Saturday flex at Indianapolis, a Thursday night home game against Baltimore, and a home finale against Cleveland (time TBA). The combination of AFC North games against the Ravens, Steelers, and Browns, plus the international contest and the late primetime windows, gives the season a clear rhythm of early tests, a useful midseason break, and a demanding finish that will decide where Cincinnati stands in the division and the conference.
Games That Stand Out
A few dates already feel bigger than the rest. The international game against Atlanta in Madrid is a clear calendar highlight. The two meetings with Pittsburgh and the two against Baltimore will go a long way toward deciding the AFC North. The home game against Kansas City and the Thursday night home date with the Ravens also land in high-visibility windows.
How to Watch Bengals Games
Most Sunday afternoon games are listed on CBS or FOX. Primetime slots include NBC/Peacock, ESPN, and Prime Video. The Madrid game airs on NFL Network at 9:30 a.m. ET. The late-season games at Indianapolis and the home finale against Cleveland remain TBA. Preseason used local channels and CBS/Paramount+. Check local listings closer to each week for any flexible scheduling updates.
What This Schedule Means for Cincinnati
The 2026 Cincinnati Bengals schedule offers an undefeated preseason foundation, an early international experience, and a balanced mix of home opportunities and tough road environments. The mid-October bye arrives at a useful point, and the late stretch includes enough high-stakes divisional and conference games to keep every week meaningful. How the Bengals handle the AFC North slate and the tougher interconference tests will largely determine their postseason path.
FAQ
When does the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals schedule start?
Preseason begins August 13 against Detroit. The regular season opens September 13 against Tampa Bay.
When is the Bengals’ bye week?
Cincinnati is off in Week 6 on October 18.
Is there an international game on the schedule?
Yes. The Bengals play the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain on November 8.
How many home games do the Bengals have?
Nine regular-season home games at Paycor Stadium, plus two preseason home contests.
