Hotels for Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Short work weeks like this tend to sharpen the edge between these two sides, with the crowd noise starting well before kickoff. New Year's Day scheduling means travelling fans share the city with holiday crowds, so the build-up around the ground has its own energy. Expect a physical, close-fought game between teams that know each other's habits well.

The Bengals were founded in 1968 by Paul Brown, the coaching pioneer who had earlier built the Cleveland Browns, and he chose the name to revive an earlier Cincinnati Bengals franchise from decades before. The team joined the NFL through the 1970 AFL merger. Cincinnati has reached the Super Bowl three times, after the 1981, 1988 and 2021 seasons, without a win, the closest coming in a one-score loss each time.

Quarterback Joe Burrow's arrival in 2020 sparked the franchise's most recent run to the title game, reviving a fanbase through a long stretch of lean years, and the Bengals' tiger-stripe uniforms remain among the most recognisable in the league.

Home to the Cincinnati Bengals, Paycor Stadium sits on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati, a classic riverside setting beside Great American Ball Park. The riverfront district is walkable on game days, with the Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood — packed with craft breweries and restaurants — a short ride away.

Public transit links are modest, so most fans drive or use rideshare. Booking a room downtown or in Over-the-Rhine keeps the city's best dining and the stadium both within easy reach.