The Cincinnati Bengals gameday experience at Paycor Stadium (formerly Paul Brown Stadium) offers a fun, energetic, and rapidly growing football culture that’s gone from underdog territory to AFC contender pride in just a few short years. It’s a mix of blue-collar Midwest loyalty, riverfront views, creative tailgating, and rising swagger—all set against the backdrop of a city that loves its football and chili.

1) Stadium: Paycor Stadium

• Located downtown along the Ohio River, next to the Reds’ Great American Ball Park.

• Easy to walk to from downtown hotels, bars, and The Banks entertainment district.

• Modern, open-air stadium with great sightlines and a loud, energized fan base.

• Atmosphere has exploded in recent years thanks to the success of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and the defense.

2) Pregame & Tailgating Scene

 Where It Happens:

• Lot 1 / Lot E / Lot D – Closest to the stadium, where long-time tailgaters park with serious setups.

• Longworth Hall Lot – Huge, party-style lot with DJs, smokers, giant TVs, and fans of all ages.

• The Banks – Bars and restaurants right outside the stadium; packed for big games, especially prime time.

• The Bengal Bomb Squad – One of the oldest and best-known fan tailgating groups in the NFL, set up near Longworth.

3) Tailgating Vibe

• Loud, festive, and inclusive: Bengals fans love to party and welcome others to join.

• You’ll see:

  • Grills firing up brats, burgers, and smoked meats

  • Fans dressed in orange & black, tiger stripes, and creative costumes

  • Music blasting (everything from rap to rock to country)

  • Cornhole games, portable bars, and massive tents

• Mix of old-school and new energy: Legacy fans meet new-wave “Burrow era” fans.

4) Food & Drink

• Classic tailgate fare meets Cincinnati flavor:

  • Skyline Chili dip is a staple (yes, that’s chili + cream cheese + cheddar).

  • Brats, metts, BBQ ribs, wings, and sometimes full smokers or breakfast burritos.

  • Plenty of local beer (Rhinegeist, MadTree, Braxton), hard seltzers, and Bengal bombs (orange vodka + energy drink).

  • Some fans bring Bengals-themed Jell-O shots or orange jungle punch.

5) Inside the Stadium

• “Who Dey” chant is constant throughout the game: “Who Dey, Who Dey, Who Dey think gonna beat them Bengals?!”

• Fans are loud and involved, especially on defense or in key AFC North games.

• The Jungle (home end zone) has the most passionate, rowdy fans.

• The stadium experience has gotten faster, louder, and more modern with hype videos, player intros, and music since the Bengals’ 2021 playoff run.

6) Fan Culture

• “Who Dey Nation” has expanded massively—expect face paint, Bengal-striped suits, tiger masks, and glittery game-day looks.

• Visiting fans are usually treated well, but Steelers and Browns fans will hear it—division games get extra heated.

• Fans love trash talk, beer toasts, and chants, but it’s rarely hostile.

Thinking about hosting an event with us? Take a look at our upcoming events or submit an inquiry form—we’d love to help make it happen!