Bengals Preseason Schedule 2026: Dates, Broadcast Info, And Key Roster Battles
The Cincinnati Bengals are officially putting their 2026 NFL campaign into motion as mid-August training camp transitions into live game action. Head coach Zac Taylor and the coaching staff are utilizing these August matchups to finalize the 53-man roster, fine-tune offensive rhythm, and evaluate critical defensive depth.
Below is the complete, official breakdown of the bengals preseason schedule, featuring kickoff times, opponent details, local TV coverage, and streaming options.
| Game | Opponent | Date / Kickoff Time (ET) | Location | Local TV / Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preseason Week 1 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Saturday, Aug. 8 – 7:00 PM | Paycor Stadium | Local CBS (WKRC) / NFL+ |
| Preseason Week 2 | at Chicago Bears | Saturday, Aug. 15 – 1:00 PM | Soldier Field | Local CBS (WKRC) / NFL+ |
| Preseason Week 3 | vs. Indianapolis Colts | Thursday, Aug. 20 – 8:00 PM | Paycor Stadium | Prime Video / Local CBS |
Key Position Battles and Quarterback Workloads Under the Spotlight
The August slate serves as a high-stakes testing ground for Cincinnati's younger draft picks and fringe roster players. Franchise quarterback Joe Burrow and primary offensive starters are expected to see limited snaps, opening up heavy workloads for backup signal-callers to command the offense.
Coaching staff priorities for this preseason stretch center on three major units:
- Offensive Line Continuity: Testing swing tackle depth and guard rotations against aggressive front-sevens.
- Secondary Depth: Evaluating rookie cornerbacks and safeties in single-coverage scenarios during second-half drives.
- Wide Receiver Competition: Determining the fourth and fifth receiver spots behind the established starting core.
Streaming Options, Local TV Coverage, and Ticket Access
Bengals fans in the local Cincinnati viewing market can catch the games on local CBS affiliate WKRC-TV (Channel 12). In-market broadcasts feature localized play-by-play commentary, sideline reporting, and exclusive post-game analysis from the coaching staff.
Out-of-market viewers can stream all live preseason games via NFL+ on mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs. The national week-three clash against Indianapolis will also stream natively on Amazon Prime Video. Fans looking to listen locally can tune into the Bengals Radio Network led by flagship stations 700WLW, 102.7 WEBN, and 102.1 The Fox.
Single-game tickets for home games at Paycor Stadium remain available through the primary box office and verified secondary marketplaces. Lower-bowl seating and mobile ticket access can be managed directly through the official Cincinnati Bengals app.
How To Watch Bengals Preseason Game | CitizenSide
Final Cutdown Deadlines and Transition to the Regular Season
Following the conclusion of the August slate, the front office faces a strict deadline to trim the roster from 90 players down to the final 53-man regular-season threshold. Players placed on waivers during this window will be eligible to rejoin the organization via the 16-player practice squad shortly after clearing waivers.
With preseason evaluations wrapping up, full strategic focus immediately shifts toward game-planning for the 2026 regular-season opener in September. Maintaining operational health throughout these exhibition games remains the ultimate priority for the organization's championship aspirations.
