The Cincinnati Bengals are finally getting a prime-time home game against their AFC North rivals—and it's about time. For the first time since their Super Bowl run in 2021, the Bengals won't be traveling to Baltimore on a short week. Instead, they'll host the Ravens for a "Thursday Night Football" showdown in Week 17 at Paycor Stadium on Dec. 31.
The full 2026 NFL schedule drops Thursday, May 14 at 8 p.m. ET, but we already have some key dates to circle. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bengals will kick off the season at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. ET. That's a marquee matchup that pits two former Super Bowl quarterbacks—Joe Burrow and Baker Mayfield—against each other right out of the gate.
But the real headline is the shift in the Bengals-Ravens Thursday night dynamic. For four straight years, Cincinnati had to travel to Baltimore for Thursday night games, a quirk that didn't sit well with the team. Last season, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow publicly called for a change, saying, "Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight prime-time year isn't ideal. Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati next year. Please."
His wish came true, and the NFL's vice president for broadcast planning, Mike North, acknowledged the league heard the complaints. "It's a fair question... I would be shocked beyond belief if we had another Bengals at Ravens on a short week this year," North said last month.
The rivalry has only intensified with elite quarterbacks on both sides. Burrow and Ravens star Lamar Jackson are two of the most dynamic players in the league, and both teams are hungry to bounce back after missing the playoffs in 2025. Baltimore also enters a new era under head coach Jesse Minter, a former Ravens defensive coordinator who knows the Bengals well.
Don't forget, the Bengals also have an international trip on the calendar. They'll face the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET in Madrid, Spain—a unique early-morning test for fans and players alike.
Whether you're gearing up for the season opener, the Madrid trip, or that must-see Thursday night clash with the Ravens, one thing is clear: the Bengals' 2026 schedule is packed with storylines and opportunities. Make sure your game-day gear is ready for every snap.