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Bengals' 2026 Schedule Features Madrid Game, Early Bye

5/15/2026

29 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Bengals Schedule

The Bengals open 2026 on Sun, Sept. 13, hosting Tampa Bay at 1 p.m. ET, then play six straight 1 p.m. games before a Week 6 bye, the earliest in Zac Taylor’s tenure.
In Week 9 they play in Madrid against Atlanta, and primetime games are SNF vs. Steelers Nov. 15, MNF vs. Commanders Nov. 23, TNF vs. Ravens Dec. 31.
Other notable games are home vs. Chiefs Dec. 13 (4:25 p.m.) and a season-ending home game vs. Browns Jan. 9/10 (TBD).

Summary

Bengals European Trip

Bengals will log fewer total travel miles than league average despite the Madrid stop.
The Week 9 contest in Madrid is the franchise’s first European game in seven years.
NFL policy now prevents a post-overseas bye, leaving Cincinnati without a rest week after the Spain trip.
Head coach Zac Taylor holds an 11-9 career primetime record, including 6-1 at Paycor Stadium, compared with the Marvin Lewis era’s 10-24 mark.

Summary

Hendrickson Returns

Former Bengals Pro Bowler Trey Hendrickson will face Cincinnati in Week 17 Thursday Night Football on Dec. 31.
The game marks Hendrickson’s first appearance at Paycor Stadium since signing with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Thursday night contest serves as the season-final matchup for both AFC North rivals.
Broadcast analysts say Hendrickson’s return will draw additional viewer interest to the primetime game.

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Bengals Schedule

The Bengals open 2026 on Sun, Sept. 13, hosting Tampa Bay at 1 p.m. ET, then play six straight 1 p.m. games before a Week 6 bye, the earliest in Zac Taylor’s tenure.
In Week 9 they play in Madrid against Atlanta, and primetime games are SNF vs. Steelers Nov. 15, MNF vs. Commanders Nov. 23, TNF vs. Ravens Dec. 31.
Other notable games are home vs. Chiefs Dec. 13 (4:25 p.m.) and a season-ending home game vs. Browns Jan. 9/10 (TBD).

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