Can't miss
- Who Dey "Who dey think gonna beat them Bengals?" The chant runs all game, and the lots start it hours early.
- Walk over the Roebling The suspension bridge from Covington, Kentucky, crosses the Ohio right to The Banks. Park on the Kentucky side and walk in over the river.
Quick answers
What time do the Paycor Stadium lots open?
The surface lots (1U, A, B, D, E, Hilltop, Hilltop North and Longworth Hall) open 4 hours before kickoff. The garages open 6 hours before. All Bengals parking closes 2 hours after the game.
Can you grill at Paycor Stadium?
Yes, in the surface lots. Open flames are banned in every parking garage, even though the garages open earlier.
Can you drink at Bengals tailgates?
The Bengals' tailgating rules don't include a lot-specific alcohol rule. Inside, fans 21 and over can buy 2 drinks per transaction, sales stop at the end of the third quarter, and you can't carry alcohol in.
Do you need a ticket to tailgate?
The rules don't say you need a game ticket, but many lots and garages next to the stadium only open on game days to Bengals parking pass holders.
How do you buy parking?
Single-game parking is sold on Ticketmaster, and the Bengals also point to SpotHero. Season parking goes through the Bengals at 513-621-8383. In 2026, Lots 1 and A have reduced capacity on game days because of bridge construction.
Where to park
Many lots and garages next to the stadium only open on game days to Bengals parking pass holders, so buy before you drive down.
- Surface lots
- 1U, A, B, D, E, Hilltop, Hilltop North and Longworth Hall. Open 4 hours before kickoff. Flames OK.
- Garages
- The 4 CRG garages next to The Banks. Open 6 hours before kickoff. No open flames.
- 2026 changes
- Lots 1 and A have reduced capacity on game days during the Brent Spence bridge work.
- Oversize
- The fan guide sets a 21-foot vehicle length limit.
- Accessible
- Spaces in every lot for that lot's passholders. Drop-off at the Central Ave curb cut (West Gate) or Race St and Freedom Way (East Gate).
- Rideshare
- Drop-off and pickup on 2nd Street between Vine and Walnut.
Planning to cook? Buy a surface lot. The garages open earlier, but no flames inside.
Season passholder? Check your 2026 spot in Bengals Account Manager. Some Lot 1 and Lot A passes were moved.
No car? The free Connector streetcar loops between The Banks, downtown and Over-the-Rhine (Sundays until 9:30 p.m.). Queen City Riverboats run from Newport, Kentucky, starting 2 hours before kickoff. Rideshare uses 2nd Street between Vine and Walnut.
The rules
Rules last verified Oct 14, 2026 against bengals.com and cincinnati-oh.gov.
Cincinnati's tailgating rules are short. The garage rule is the one people miss.
- Grills
- Open flames in surface lots only. Never in a parking garage.
- Alcohol
- No lot-specific rule posted. Inside: 21 and over, 2 per transaction, sales end after the third quarter. No carrying alcohol in.
- Who's allowed
- Tailgating is allowed in all Bengals parking areas. Many lots next to the stadium are passholder-only on game days.
- When it ends
- Night games: tailgating wraps by midnight. All Bengals parking closes 2 hours after the game.
- Bags at the gate
- Clear, up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches (clear backpacks count), plus a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches. No non-clear diaper bags.
- Gates open
- 90 minutes before kickoff. No re-entry.
Before you go
Bengals tailgatingParking and directionsFan guide (A to Z)2026 parking map2026 parking updatesOfficial pages. Rules change; check them the week of the game.
Pack for Cincinnati
What we'd bring.
-
Cincinnati Bengals 3x5 Flag
$19.79
Ships free
Your team's 3x5 flag with metal grommets. Hang it and your crew finds your spot in the lot.
-
Dubler HEAT Chafer and Cooler
$198.89
Ships free
Late-season cold keeps the drinks cold on its own. Heat packs keep covered food hot up to 5 hours (per the maker).
-
Dubler Heat Packs, 2 Pack
$43.88
Ships free
More for this lot
-
Monument G22 Tabletop Gas Grill, 2 Burners$199 · Ships free
- The Game Day Starter, $556.99Cincinnati Gameday Stadium cornhole boards, a Taiga 27 qt hard cooler and a Whirl Pong set of 2, in one cart. Shop the kit
November and December on the river get cold. Bring layers for the wait and the walk out.
Where the party is
The lots here wrap the stadium along the river, and the Bengals throw their own pregame a block east on Freedom Way. Cooks take the surface lots. The garages are for parking, not flames.
The street party
Pregame at The Banks
The Bengals' pregame on Freedom Way between Race Street and Joe Nuxhall Way before every home game, with live music, food, drinks and giveaways.
The big surface lot
Hilltop
West of the stadium along the river. A surface lot, so open flames are allowed, and it opens 4 hours before kickoff.
The close-in lots
Lots B and D
Surface lots on the stadium's north and east sides, a short walk from Freedom Way.
What to eat
Surface lots mean a real grill, so build around it: burgers, brats and dogs.
Cook thisCincinnati chiliGetting out
Every lot empties onto the same few riverfront streets at once. Your options, best first:
- Take the Connector. The free streetcar loops from The Banks into downtown and Over-the-Rhine. On Sundays it stops at 9:30 p.m.
- Catch the riverboat back. Queen City Riverboats return to Newport at halftime, after the third quarter and after the game, for 45 minutes.
- Rideshare from 2nd Street. Pickup is on 2nd Street between Vine and Walnut.
Skip this
Pull out at the final whistle. Parking stays open 2 hours after the game. Let the bridges and Fort Washington Way drain first.
First time here?
- Surface lots open 4 hours before kickoff. Garages open 6, but no flames.
- Bringing a grill? Make sure your pass is for a surface lot.
- Night game? Tailgating ends by midnight.
- Clear bag only: 12 x 6 x 12 inches, plus a small clutch.
- Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff, and there's no re-entry.
- Season passholder in Lot 1 or A? Check your 2026 assignment first.
Visiting? How to join a tailgate
Start at Pregame at The Banks on Freedom Way, the Bengals' own pregame before every home game. Wear your colors, bring something to share and keep it friendly.
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Your Paycor Stadium game-day sheet, by email
One page for the lot: where to park, when it opens, what you can bring.
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