NFL Kickoff Date REVEALED: Bengals’ Full 2024 Schedule Inside!
Your Complete Guide to the 2026 NFL Season: Bengals Schedule, Key Dates & Super Bowl 2027
Published: August 23, 2026 • 12:15 AM ET
Welcome to Football Season!
Hey there, football fans! The most wonderful time of the year is finally here — the NFL is back! Whether you’re a die-hard Cincinnati Bengals supporter or just getting into the game, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2026 season in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
IMPORTANT POINT: The NFL season has two parts: preseason (practice games that don’t count for standings) and regular season (the real games that determine who makes the playoffs).
When Does the NFL Preseason Start?
The 2026 NFL preseason officially kicked off on August 6 with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game — a special annual matchup played in Canton, Ohio (where the Hall of Fame is located).
- Teams: Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Date: August 6, 2026
- Purpose: Ceremonial start to the football year
Most other teams, including the Bengals, began their preseason games on August 13 and will wrap up by August 29.
ELI5 EXPLANATION: Think of preseason like scrimmages before the real season starts. Teams use these games to test new players, practice plays, and decide who makes the final roster. The scores don’t count toward playoff standings.
Bengals Preseason Schedule: What Happened & What’s Next
The Cincinnati Bengals played three preseason games in 2026. Here’s the full breakdown:
Game 1: COMPLETED
- Date: August 13, 2026
- Opponent: Detroit Lions
- Location: Paycor Stadium (Home)
- Result: Bengals WIN, 16-14
Game 2: UPCOMING
- Date: August 22, 2026
- Opponent: Chicago Bears
- Location: Paycor Stadium (Home)
Game 3: UPCOMING
- Date: August 28, 2026
- Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Away — in Philadelphia)
IMPORTANT POINT: Preseason games are great for spotting rookie talent and seeing how new signings fit in — but don’t panic if starters don’t play much! Coaches often rest key players to avoid injuries.
When Does the REAL Season Start? (Regular Season)
The 2026 NFL regular season — the games that actually count — begins on:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026
Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots
8:20 PM ET (Primetime kickoff!)
This is a Super Bowl 60 rematch — fancy term for "these two teams played in last year’s championship."
Bengals First Regular Season Game: Mark Your Calendars!
The Bengals open their real season at home:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, September 13, 2026 |
| Opponent | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Time | 1:00 PM ET |
| TV Channel | FOX |
| Location | Paycor Stadium (Home) |
FUN FACT: The Buccaneers are led by quarterback Baker Mayfield — a familiar name for football fans!
Full Cincinnati Bengals 2026 Regular Season Schedule
Here’s every regular season game for the Bengals. Bold = Primetime (national TV) games. All times Eastern.
| Week | Date | Matchup | Time | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 13 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 2 | Sept. 20 | at Houston Texans | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 27 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 4 | Oct. 4 | vs. Jacksonville Jaguars | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 5 | Oct. 11 | at Miami Dolphins | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 6 | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| 7 | Oct. 25 | at Baltimore Ravens | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 8 | Nov. 1 | vs. Tennessee Titans | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 8 | at Atlanta Falcons (in Madrid, Spain!) | 9:30 AM | NFL Network |
| 10 | Nov. 15 | vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 8:20 PM | NBC (Sunday Night Football) |
| 11 | Nov. 23 | at Washington Commanders | 8:15 PM | ESPN (Monday Night Football) |
| 12 | Nov. 29 | vs. New Orleans Saints | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 6 | at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 PM | CBS |
| 14 | Dec. 13 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs | 4:25 PM | FOX |
| 15 | Dec. 20 | at Carolina Panthers | 1:00 PM | FOX |
| 16 | Dec. 26/27 | at Indianapolis Colts | TBD | TBD |
| 17 | Dec. 31 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 8:15 PM | Amazon Prime (Thursday Night Football) |
| 18 | Jan. 9/10 | vs. Cleveland Browns | TBD | TBD |
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- 3 Primetime Games (Weeks 10, 11, 17) — national spotlight!
- International Game: Week 9 in Madrid, Spain (Bengals are "visiting" team)
- Season starts AND ends at home — Week 1 vs. Bucs, Week 18 vs. Browns
- New Year’s Eve showdown vs. Ravens (Week 17) — prime holiday football!
Super Bowl 2027: Everything You Need to Know
The big game — Super Bowl 61 — is already on the calendar:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | February 14, 2027 (Valentine’s Day! ) |
| Stadium | SoFi Stadium |
| Location | Inglewood, California (Los Angeles area) |
| Last Super Bowl Here | Super Bowl 56 (Feb. 13, 2022): Rams 23, Bengals 20 |
BENGALS FLASHBACK: The last time the Super Bowl was at SoFi Stadium, the Los Angeles Rams beat the Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl 56. Cincinnati will be hoping for a different ending in 2027!
Summary: Your 2026 NFL Cheat Sheet
| What | When | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Preseason Started | Aug. 6 | Hall of Fame Game: Panthers vs. Cardinals |
| Bengals Preseason | Aug. 13–28 | 3 games: vs. Lions (W), vs. Bears, @ Eagles |
| Regular Season Starts | Sept. 9 | Seahawks vs. Patriots (Wed night) |
| Bengals Season Opener | Sept. 13 | vs. Buccaneers, 1 PM ET, FOX, Home |
| Bye Week | Week 6 (Oct. 18) | Rest week — no game |
| International Game | Nov. 8 | Bengals @ Falcons in Madrid, Spain |
| Super Bowl 61 | Feb. 14, 2027 | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA |
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. What’s the difference between preseason and regular season?
Preseason games are exhibition matches — they help teams prepare but don’t count in the standings. Regular season games determine playoff spots and championships.
2. Why does the Bengals schedule say "TBD" for Weeks 16 and 18?
The NFL flexes scheduling late in the year to put the most exciting matchups in primetime. Exact times and networks for those weeks will be announced later.
3. What does "Bengals are the visiting team in Madrid" mean?
Even though the game is in Spain (neutral site), the Falcons are designated as "home" for administrative purposes (uniforms, locker room, etc.). Bengals wear white jerseys.
4. How many primetime games do the Bengals have in 2026?
Three: Week 10 (Sunday Night Football), Week 11 (Monday Night Football), Week 17 (Thursday Night Football).
5. When is the Bengals’ bye week?
Week 6 (around October 18) — the team gets a full week off to rest and recover.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be thrilling — especially for Bengals fans! With a home opener, an international trip to Madrid, three primetime showcases, and a New Year’s Eve rivalry game, there’s plenty to cheer for.
PRO TIP: Bookmark this guide, set your calendar alerts, and get ready for Bengals football!
Who Dey!
Stay tuned for updates on game times, injuries, and playoff pushes as the season unfolds!