If you’re scrambling to figure out what channel is the bengals game on right now, you aren't alone. It’s one of those things that should be easy but somehow turns into a thirty-minute hunt through streaming apps and cable guides.
Look, the 2025-2026 season was a wild ride for Cincinnati. We saw the highs of a Thanksgiving beatdown in Baltimore and the lows of a shutout at home. After finishing with a 6-11 record and missing the postseason, the Bengals are officially in "next year" mode. Since it's currently mid-January and the NFL playoffs are moving into the Divisional Round without us, there isn't a professional Bengals game on your TV today.
But if you’re a fan of the "Bengals" name in general, there is actually some live action on the hardwood. The Idaho State Bengals are taking on the Idaho Vandals today, January 15, 2026. You can find that game streaming on ESPN+ starting at 9:00 PM ET (7:00 PM local time in Pocatello).
Where the Bengals Landed and What’s Next
The Bengals' 2025 season wrapped up on January 4 with a tough 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns. It was a frustrating way to end a year that felt like it had so much potential before the mid-season slump. Because they finished third in the AFC North, the schedule for 2026 is already starting to take shape, and honestly, it looks a bit more manageable than the gauntlet they just ran.
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No, we don't have the exact dates yet—the NFL usually drops those in May—but we know exactly who the Bengals will face and where.
2026 Home Opponents at Paycor Stadium
- Baltimore Ravens (The usual divisional slugfest)
- Cleveland Browns (Looking for revenge after the Week 18 loss)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Always a physical nightmare)
- Kansas City Chiefs (The Burrow vs. Mahomes rivalry continues)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (Trevor Lawrence coming to the Queen City)
- Tennessee Titans
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2026 Road Trips
- Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh (The road AFC North circuit)
- Indianapolis Colts
- Houston Texans (A massive test against C.J. Stroud)
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Commanders
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
How to Watch Bengals Games in 2026
Since the Bengals aren't in the playoffs this January, your Sunday afternoons are suddenly wide open. However, when the 2026 season kicks off in September, you'll need to know the broadcast landscape. It has changed a lot lately.
Basically, the NFL is split across about five different platforms now. If you're in the Cincinnati local market, most games will be on CBS (Channel 12) or FOX (Channel 19). For those living outside of the 513 area code, things get a little pricier.
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YouTube TV still holds the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, which is pretty much the only way to see every single Bengals game if you live in, say, California or Texas. If the game is a "national" broadcast, it’ll be on Prime Video for Thursday nights, NBC/Peacock for Sunday nights, and ESPN/ABC for Monday nights.
One thing that caught fans off guard last season was the Peacock-exclusive games. If you don't have a subscription, you might miss a stray Saturday or Sunday night game. It's annoying, I know. You’ve basically got to have a spreadsheet just to keep track of where to click.
Dealing with the Offseason Blues
It’s a weird feeling when January hits and Joe Burrow isn't on your screen. The Bengals are currently slated to pick 10th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s high enough to snag a blue-chip tackle or a game-changing receiver to help Ja'Marr Chase.
While you wait for the draft and the eventual schedule release, you can keep an eye on the rest of the AFC North in the playoffs. The Steelers and Ravens are still in the mix, which probably makes most Bengals fans want to root for a meteor, but watching the competition gives you a good idea of the bar Cincinnati needs to clear next September.
Checking the Idaho State Bengals
If you came here specifically looking for the college team, you're in luck. Idaho State is currently 9-8 and looking to push toward a winning record. Their game against the Idaho Vandals is a big rivalry matchup in the Big Sky conference.
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TV/Streaming Details for Jan 15:
- Matchup: Idaho Vandals vs. Idaho State Bengals
- Channel: ESPN+ (Subscription required)
- Tip-off: 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT
- Location: Reed Gym, Pocatello, ID
Actionable Steps for Bengals Fans
If you're already missing the NFL action, here is how you can stay ahead for the 2026 season.
- Mark your calendar for May: This is when the NFL officially announces the dates and times for the 2026 schedule. This is also when we'll know exactly which games are on Amazon, NBC, or CBS.
- Evaluate your streaming setup: If you’re a "cord-cutter," check if your services like FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV still carry your local Cincinnati stations.
- Watch the Draft in April: The Bengals have a top-10 pick. This is where the 2026 season actually begins. Keeping an eye on who they draft will tell you a lot about their strategy for the coming year.
- Follow the Coaching Changes: The AFC North is shifting. Cleveland just fired their coach, and Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation is always a headline. Stay tuned to local Cincinnati sports radio or beat writers like Paul Dehner Jr. for the latest roster moves.
The wait for the next NFL Bengals game is long, but at least the path forward is clear. Grab your gear, settle in for the draft cycle, and get ready for a bounce-back year in 2026.