If you’re staring at your phone wondering what time do Cincinnati Bengals play, you aren’t alone. We have all been there. It is Sunday morning, the coffee is brewing, and you need to know exactly when to have the wings ready and the jersey on.
Here is the deal. The NFL is a moving target.
Right now, we are in that weird "in-between" phase of the 2026 calendar. The 2025-2026 regular season just wrapped up with a tough 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns on January 4, 2026. Since the Bengals finished 6-11 and missed the playoffs, they aren't playing today.
But don't check out just yet. Knowing when they play is about more than just checking a score—it's about understanding how the NFL builds their schedule and where the Bengals fit in the 2026 rotation.
When Does the 2026 Bengals Schedule Come Out?
You cannot find a kickoff time for the 2026 season right now because the NFL hasn't released them. Seriously. Anyone claiming they have the exact kickoff time for a game in October 2026 is pulling your leg.
Usually, the NFL drops the official schedule in mid-May.
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This is a massive event. The league turns a calendar release into a three-hour television special. Once that happens, we will know exactly what time do Cincinnati Bengals play for every single week of the season.
Who Are the Bengals Playing in 2026?
Even though we don't have the "when," we definitely have the "who." The NFL uses a fixed formula, so we already know the opponents Joe Burrow and the crew will face at Paycor Stadium and on the road.
Home Games at Paycor Stadium:
- The AFC North Rivals: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. These are guaranteed every year.
- The AFC South Crew: Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.
- NFC South Visitors: New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- The Wildcard: Kansas City Chiefs. Because the Bengals and Chiefs finished in the same relative spot in their divisions, they face off again. This has become one of the best rivalries in football.
Away Games:
- Division Trips: Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh.
- Southern Swing: Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.
- NFC South Trips: Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.
- Coast to Coast: Miami Dolphins and Washington Commanders.
Why Does the Kickoff Time Change?
Most Bengals games start at 1:00 PM ET. That is the "standard" window for AFC North teams. However, the NFL loves putting the Bengals in "window games."
If a game is in the late afternoon slot, it starts at 4:25 PM ET. If the Bengals are featured on Sunday Night Football, you're looking at an 8:20 PM ET kickoff.
Then there's the "Flex Scheduling" headache. Starting around Week 5, the NFL can move games from the afternoon to Sunday night to ensure better matchups for TV. This means the answer to what time do Cincinnati Bengals play can actually change just 12 days before the game happens.
How to Watch the Bengals in 2026
When the time finally arrives, where do you go? If you live in the Cincinnati area, most games are on Local 12 (CBS) or FOX19.
If you are a fan living outside of Ohio (Who Dey Nation is everywhere, honestly), it gets a bit more complicated. You’ll likely need NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV to catch the 1:00 PM games.
For the primetime stuff:
- Thursday Night: Amazon Prime Video.
- Sunday Night: NBC and Peacock.
- Monday Night: ESPN, ABC, and sometimes ESPN+.
Planning for the 2026 Preseason
Before the real games start, we have the preseason in August. These games almost always happen on Friday or Saturday nights. The starters might only play a series or two, but it’s the first chance to see the new draft picks in the stripes.
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Keep an eye out for the preseason schedule around late May or June. These times are usually set by the teams themselves rather than the league's big TV partners.
Pro Tip for Game Day
If you're headed to Paycor Stadium, the gates usually open two hours before kickoff. If the game is at 1:00 PM, you want to be in your seat by 12:30 PM to catch the pregame intros. There is nothing quite like hearing the "Who Dey" chant echoing through the jungle right before the ball hits the tee.
Actionable Steps for Bengals Fans
Since there are no active games today, here is what you should do to stay ready:
- Sync Your Calendar: Once the May schedule drops, use the official Bengals app to sync the games directly to your phone. It updates automatically if the NFL "flexes" a game time.
- Check the Draft: The Bengals pick high this year after a 6-11 season. The NFL Draft is in late April. Who they pick will determine how many primetime (night) games they get.
- Set a Google Alert: Set an alert for "Bengals schedule release" so you are the first to know the exact dates.
The wait for the 2026 season is long, but at least the opponents are locked in. Get ready for a lot of 1:00 PM starts, a few late-night heart-stoppers against the Chiefs and Ravens, and hopefully, a much better record than last year.