It's nearly Bengals season, and as many commuters know, parking (or even driving) in downtown Cincinnati has gotten harder amid construction for the Brent Spence companion bridge project.
And it's not just an inconvenience for those who work downtown — it's also limiting options for Bengals fans looking to tailgate this season. But nothing could stop diehard Bengals fans from enjoying a pregame, not even a little construction.
Luckily, there are still several locations to pregame. Here's a look at where Bengals fans can tailgate ahead of the regular-season home opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.
GameDey tailgates for Bengals games look a little different this season
Tailgating will look a little different for the Bengals' 2026-27 season due to construction on the Brent Spence Bridge, but don't worry.
Fans will still have several options to pregame before the Bengals kick off.
John Robinson, co-founder of the Bengals Bomb Squad tailgate, said they've moved to the Hilltop Lot next to the overpass. Meanwhile, members of the Bengals Bomb Squad West will remain at Longworth Hall for the tailgate; however, the party won't start until four hours before kickoff.
To park in the Hilltop and Longworth Hall lots, you must have a parking pass. If not, Robinson recommends parking in the public lots along Third Street and walking over to join the fun.
Which lots will be open for Bengals tailgating?
The following surface lots will be open four hours before kickoff during the Bengals 2026 season, according to Bengals spokesperson Emily Parker.
- Lot 1U
- Lot A
- Lot B
- Lot D
- Lot E
- Hilltop
- Hilltop North
- Longworth Hall
It should be noted that many of the lots and garages near Paycor are only accessible on game days with a Bengals Parking Pass, per the Bengals website.
Additionally, all Bengals parking will close two hours after the conclusion of the game. For evening events, tailgating activities must conclude no later than midnight. Fans and their vehicles must also exit the parking area at closing time.
What's happening with Lot 1?
Lot 1 and Lot A near Paycor Stadium will have "capacity reductions" on Bengals game days, according to the Bengals website. Both lots are north of the stadium near the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge.
Lot 1 has 927 parking spaces and will be closed until the bridge project is completed, which the Ohio Department of Transportation expects will be in 2033. The south side of Lot A across Central Avenue is also closed, but the lot is partially open for parking and tailgating.
According to Parker, Lot 1 was exclusively used for season ticket members; however, those members have been relocated to surrounding tailgating lots, including Hilltop and Longworth Hall, which was recently acquired for Bengals' gameday parking by Hamilton County.
Jim Foster, who has hosted the "Bengal Jim and friends" tailgate since 1993, previously told The Enquirer he anticipates more fans from the northern lots joining his tailgate this year.
Foster hosts his tailgating events in Lot E near Smale Park and rents half of the park to accommodate the 2,000-5,000 people he said come, depending on weather and how the team is performing.
The Enquirer's Erin Glynn contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Looking for a place to tailgate Bengals games? Try these lots
