Sportsfanfocus.com has no affiliation with Paycor Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals, or NFL (info)
This is a guide to the Cincinnati Bengals home stadium (Paycor Stadium). Going to a NFL game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Cincinnati Bengals tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).
In this article we will discuss:
- What to bring to a Bengals Game
- Cincinnati Bengals Ticket Information
- Paycor Stadium Gate Information
- Best Place to Park at Paycor Stadium
- Does Paycor Stadium Take Cash?
- How Long are Cincinnati Bengals Games?
- Where is the Bengals Pro Shop?
What to Bring to a Cincinnati Bengals Game?
If you are going to a Cincinnati Bengals game, planning ahead is always important. Below is a list of things you might need to bring, and you will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:
- Clear Stadium Bag – NFL stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Make sure to verify the size dimensions meets the size standards for Paycor Stadium.
- Reserve Parking – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Cincinnati Bengals parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Weather and Sun Protection – Paycor Stadium does not have a roof, so you will need to be prepared to face the elements when you go to a Bengals game.
- Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is a good idea.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
Can You Bring a Bag Into Paycor Stadium?
As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, NFL stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. There are strict regulations regarding the types of bags allowed inside a stadium. The NFL recommends fans to use clear stadium bags like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the Paycor Stadium information guide.
Can You Bring a Blanket Into Paycor Stadium?
Yes, you can bring a blanket into Paycor Stadium for Bengals games. However, it is important to note that for security reasons, the blanket will be inspected at the gate (source).
Cincinnati Bengals Ticket Information
Buying Bengals Tickets
Yes, you can buy Bengals tickets at the stadium, but only as long as supplies last. That said, because NFL games usually sellout, it is very difficult to buy tickets at the stadium on gameday. Buying in advance is almost always necessary.
You can buy your tickets directly from the team’s website, but once the game is sold-out, you will need to use the secondary ticket market, where you can buy Bengals tickets that are being re-sold. For these types of tickets, I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase.
- Click here to view Cincinnati Bengals tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
The Bengals Ticket Office on game days is located on the north side of Paycor Stadium on the plaza level between Gates B and C near the Bengals Pro shop (view). During the week, the ticket office is located on the South side of Paycor Stadium in the Bengals Administration building neat gate E.
Please remember that NFL stadiums have adopted mobile ticketing in an attempt to reduce the risk of ticket fraud. To learn more about how the Bengals mobile ticketing works, click here.
To read more, visit our article about purchasing Bengals tickets at the stadium.
Paycor Stadium Gate Information
Paycor Stadium gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff for Cincinnati Bengals games. Paycor Stadium has five main stadium entrances located conveniently around the exterior of the stadium.
To read more about the location of entry gates, visit our Paycor Stadium Gate Guide.
Best Place to Park at Paycor Stadium for Bengals Games
Most Paycor Stadium parking can be purchased in advance or on gameday, although there are a few exceptions. In general, it is always best to buy in advance if possible to remove the hassle of buying at the stadium.
Although there are several lots and garages right around the stadium used as Bengals parking, there are also a wide range of garages and lots around downtown Cincinnati that provide parking options. Although prices can vary, in general, the farther you are willing to walk, the cheaper the prices usually get.
Sometimes if you are willing to walk a bit farther, it also makes it easier to get out of downtown Cincinnati after the game.
- Buy Prepaid Parking if Possible – Buying a parking pass in advance can help you avoid the hassle of buying at the stadium, and allows you to reserve a spot in a parking lot that makes the most sense for you. This is where you can view the current price of parking passes available for Bengals games at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Riverboats – Queen City Riverboats will pick up fans at transport them to and from the game from The Beer Sellar and Hooters (which are located on the south side of the river). This is a nice option for those who want to save a bit of money and who want to avoid the traffic near the stadium. These riverboats are $6 per person, and you keep the ticket so the return is free. The riverboats start two hours prior to the game, and return trips start at halftime and continue until 45 minutes after the game.
- Get Directions – One cool thing that the Bengals do is they have map links on their parking page where you can get unique directions to each lot based on your location. To check it out, visit the Bengals parking map page.
To read more about lots and options, visit our Cincinnati Bengals Parking Guide.
How Long Do Cincinnati Bengals Games Last?
You can expect a Cincinnati Bengals game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to 3.5 hours (or longer) depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average length of a Cincinnati Bengals game was 3 hours and 10 minutes.
In 2021, the longest Cincinnati Bengals game lasted 3 hours and 38 minutes, and the shortest Cincinnati Bengals game lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes. The main takeaway is most Cincinnati Bengals games last slightly over three hours, but there are exceptions both ways.
To read more, visit our article about the length of football games.
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference Gamelogs
Where is the Bengals Pro Shop?
There are several retail shops located around Paycor Stadium, but the main Bengals Pro Shop is located on the north side of the stadium, on the plaza level between Gates B and C (view).
If you are shopping for Bengals fan gear, you can also do that online. This is where you can view Bengals gear available at NFLShop.com (paid affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com). If you want to read more about the different types of Bengals fan jerseys, visit our Bengals jersey guide.
Does Paycor Stadium Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
Paycor Stadium does not accept cash inside the stadium. Cash-to-Card kiosks are located around the stadium if guests need to turn cash into prepaid cards (source).
Paycor Stadium Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Paycor Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the team or Paycor Stadium staff. Contact information is below:
- Paycor Stadium – View Stadium Information
- Cincinnati Bengals – View Contact Information
- Paycor Stadium Map – View the Seating Map
- Buying Cincinnati Bengals Tickets
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Cincinnati Bengals tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).