The countdown is officially on for Cincinnati Bengals fans. The NFL has announced that the full 2026 schedule will drop on Thursday, May 14, with a primetime reveal show airing on both NFL Network and ESPN at 8 p.m. ET. But if you want the news straight from the source, you can also catch the Bengals' official schedule release on their team website or social media channels.
One of the most entertaining parts of schedule release day is seeing how each team puts its own spin on the announcement. The Bengals have built a reputation for creative reveals, and fans are eager to see what they have planned this year. Will it be a video featuring Joe Burrow? A nod to the Jungle? We'll find out soon enough.
In the meantime, we're tracking every leak, rumor, and confirmed matchup as they surface. Keep in mind that anything labeled as "rumored" hasn't been officially confirmed by the league, so take it with a grain of salt until the full schedule is released.
Here's what we know so far:
Week 9: Bengals vs. Falcons, 9:30 a.m. EST, in Madrid (confirmed)
This international showdown is already locked in, giving Cincinnati a unique early-morning test in Spain. It's a bold start to the second half of the season.
Full Opponent List (leaks pending per week):
Home games: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans
Away games: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders
Strength of Schedule Note: According to Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis, the Bengals have the third-easiest schedule in the entire NFL—and the easiest in the AFC. Sharp's analysis uses Vegas win totals rather than last season's records, which better accounts for offseason roster moves. For a team looking to bounce back, that's a promising sign.
Stay tuned as we update this tracker with more leaks and confirmed games leading up to the big reveal on May 14. Whether you're planning your game-day wardrobe or just counting down the days, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one to watch.