The Cincinnati Bengals are heading to Spain! According to multiple reports on May 12, the Bengals are set to face the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain, during the 2026 NFL season. It's a thrilling international matchup that brings a fresh wave of excitement to the league's global expansion.
The rest of Cincinnati's 2026 schedule will be officially unveiled on Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m. Eastern. Fans won't have to wait long to see the full slate of games, as the NFL is also set to announce all international games one day earlier, on Wednesday, May 13.
This isn't just any regular-season game—it's a chance for the Bengals to make their mark on the world stage. The Falcons, who are among Cincinnati's scheduled road opponents for 2026, announced back in March that they would be playing a game in Madrid. With an extra road game on their schedule, it was widely expected that the Bengals would be the visiting team in any international contest.
Bengals fans have been buzzing about this possibility for a while. Back in February, star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase even took to social media to ask if the team was getting an international game in 2026. And while rumors swirled in 2025 about a potential matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Madrid—despite quarterback Joe Burrow's Instagram plea—that game never materialized. Now, it seems the stars have aligned for this Spain showdown.
Looking ahead, executive vice president Katie Blackburn mentioned in 2025 that the Bengals are expected to host an international game in 2027, so this Madrid trip could be just the beginning of their global adventures.
NFL.com's Eric Edholm has already highlighted one Bengals game to watch: their home clash against the Baltimore Ravens, which he named among the 10 most anticipated games of the 2026 season. Another possible international option for Cincinnati is a matchup against the Washington Commanders, who are hosting a game in London.
The Bengals-Falcons game in Madrid is part of a massive international slate for the NFL in 2026. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will meet at Melbourne Cricket Ground for the league's first regular-season game in Australia (airing the night of Sept. 10 in the U.S.). The Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to face the Baltimore Ravens at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Sept. 27. The New Orleans Saints will also play a game in Paris, France, against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Meanwhile, London will host three regular-season games, with the Commanders as the home team for one and the Jacksonville Jaguars playing in the other two.
Madrid will host just one regular-season game, and it's shaping up to be a can't-miss event. Whether you're a Bengals fan, a Falcons supporter, or just love the global growth of football, this is a game to circle on your calendar.