The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 preseason schedule features two home games and a primetime road game that will have a national broadcast.

Before the regular season begins in September, Cincinnati will take on these three exhibitions in August.

Bengals 2026 preseason schedule

• Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions – Thursday, Aug. 13, 7:00 p.m. ET
• Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears – Saturday, Aug. 22, 7:00 p.m. ET
• Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles – Friday, Aug. 28, 8:00 p.m. ET on CBS

Week 1 vs. Detroit Lions

The Bengals’ preseason opener will be a rematch of a regular season game from the 2025 season. Detroit defeated Cincinnati, 37-24, in Week 5 at Paycor Stadium. It was the last time Jake Browning played and started a game for the Bengals.

Week 1 of the preseason is the first chance we’ll see rookies and free agent additions take the field for Cincy. Starters may play as much of a quarter, but will likely be limited to a drive or two on both sides of the ball.

Week 2 vs. Chicago Bears

This will also be a repeat matchup from last year. Chicago came to the Queen City in Week 9 of the 2025 season and won a high-scoring thriller, 47-42. The Bengals allowed 30 second half points in the loss, and blew a potential comeback in the final moments of the game.

Week 2 of the preseason has become the designated dress rehearsal for the average NFL club. Cincy played its starters for most of the first half in last year’s penultimate preseason game against the Washington Commanders. You can expect a similar plan this time around.

Week 3 at Philadelphia Eagles

The final week of the preseason is the stage for all the reserves fighting for a roster spot. It’s the last real chance for any roster battles to be finalized if practice hasn’t settled them by now. Players on the bubble could be wearing Bengals colors for the very last time.

CBS will carry the game for a wider audience compared to the Bengals Preseason TV Network, which will exclusively cover the first two games of the month.