Anderson Township football fans don't have far to go to watch Joe Burrow and the retooled Bengals defense in person.

The team opened its 2026 training camp to the public Wednesday, and five more free practices remain at the Kettering Health Practice Fields in downtown Cincinnati, roughly 15 minutes from Beechmont Avenue via Columbia Parkway.

Anderson High School football coach Evan Dreyer received the Bengals' Paul Brown Coaching Award at the team's annual pre-camp media luncheon on Tuesday, with Bengals president Mike Brown presenting the honor, according to the team's website.

"There's a genuine excitement in the community," head coach Zac Taylor said at the luncheon. "I'm in Cincinnati. I'm out and about. The people that I run into, whether I know them or don't, you can feel the genuine excitement for the season."

Remaining free practices

All open sessions at the Kettering Health Practice Fields run 10 a.m. to noon, gates at 9:30 a.m. No ticket needed. Remaining dates:

  • Thursday, July 30
  • Monday, August 3
  • Tuesday, August 4
  • Sunday, August 16

The fields sit just west of Paycor Stadium. Enter at Central Avenue and West Pete Rose Way. Capacity is limited and first-come, first-served, so arrive early. Bleacher seating lines the fields with standing room along the sidelines.

Friday night stadium practice

The marquee fan event is a free practice inside Paycor Stadium on Friday, August 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with family activities and photo opportunities throughout the stadium. Unlike the outdoor sessions, this one requires a free ticket claimed through the Bengals app. Tickets became available July 23; check the app for remaining availability.

Rules and logistics

The NFL Clear Bag Policy applies to all practices and the stadium event. Concessions and Bengals merchandise are available at the fields, but only credit and debit cards are accepted. Parking is available in Lot A, Lot B, Lot D, or CRG West at posted rates.

What to expect on the field

Players sign autographs along the sidelines after outdoor practices, with different position groups available each day.

The full roster reported by Tuesday, with no holdouts. The only notable absence is defensive tackle B.J. Hill, who is on the physically unable to perform list recovering from offseason surgery, according to ESPN. The Bengals poured more than $150 million into the defense this offseason, per WCPO, and could return the same starting 11 on offense.

Taylor enters his eighth season after the Bengals missed the playoffs three consecutive years.

Season ticket member practices

Four additional sessions are exclusive to Season Ticket Members and Waitlist Members:

  • Saturday, August 1 (10:10 a.m.–noon)
  • Thursday, August 6 (10:10 a.m.–noon)
  • Sunday, August 9 (Club Members only, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday, August 15 (2:30–4:15 p.m.)

The NFL's "Back Together Weekend" falls August 1–2, with youth flag football programming and family activities at the Bengals' site, per the NFL.

Practice times are subject to change. Check bengals.com/camp on the day of each session for updates. Camp wraps up Sunday, August 16.