With the NFL announcing regular-season schedules for all 32 teams, we also learned who will make up the 2026 Cincinnati Bengals preseason schedule, and it’s about as loaded as a preseason slate can be.
The fun kicks off Thursday, August 13, at 7:00 PM ET when the Bengals host the Detroit Lions. Detroit is coming off a 9-8 campaign and has enjoyed four straight winning seasons, including a pair of playoff berths in 2023 and 2024. They figure to once again be among the NFC’s top playoff contenders.
The following week, the Bengals will host the Chicago Bears on Saturday, August 22, at 7:00 PM ET. The Bears are coming off a memorable season in which they made it to the Divisional Round of the postseason and are expected to contend for a Super Bowl berth this year.
Both of these home games will be broadcast on the Bengals Preseason Network.
Finally, the preseason wraps up with the Bengals on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, August 28, at 8 PM ET on CBS. Philly has been to the Super Bowl in two of the past four seasons — winning it in the 2024 season — and is once again among the league’s top title contenders.
All told, this is a great three-game slate that will hopefully see some really good matchups for a quarter or two when the starters are in.
2026 Bengals Preseason Schedule
- Week 1: Aug. 13 vs. Detroit Lions, 7:00 PM ET, Bengals Preseason Network
- Week 2: Aug. 22 vs. Chicago Bears, 7:00 PM ET, Bengals Preseason Network
- Week 3: Aug. 28 at Philadelphia Eagles 8:00 PM ET, CBS
