The NFL preseason started August 6 with the Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. The Cincinnati Bengals began their preseason slate on August 13 against the Detroit Lions, winning 16-14. Cincinnati hosts the Chicago Bears on August 22 and plays the Philadelphia Eagles on August 28 to complete the exhibition schedule.
The 2026 NFL regular season opens Wednesday, September 9, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Bengals start their regular season at home on September 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 1 p.m. ET on FOX.
Cincinnati's 17-game schedule includes three primetime contests and an international matchup in Madrid, Spain, against the Atlanta Falcons on November 8. The Bengals host primetime games against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 10 and the Washington Commanders on November 23, plus a New Year's Eve home game against the New Orleans Saints on December 29.
