CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals will play in their first Super Bowl in 33 years this Sunday, and fans are anxious to show their stripes to support their team any way they can.
What You Need To Know
- Parties and celebrations are planned all week in greater Cincinnati leading up to the Bengals’ first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.
- There are four major event zones across greater Cincinnati – Fountain Square, The Banks, Findlay Market and Newport on the Levee
- Many of the events are free and open to the public, but some do require an RSVP or a ticket
- Many retailers and food vendors are getting on the Super Bowl spirit by offering discounts and deals on specialty items
Of course, not everyone can be in Los Angeles for the showdown with the Rams in Super Bowl LVI. But not to worry – there are plenty of events taking place in and around Cincinnati on Super Bowl Sunday and the days leading up to the big game.
An advertising campaign began Feb. 4 to reach regional fans to encourage them to spend the weekend in Cincinnati to celebrate. The effort is a collaboration between the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau and meetNKY, the official destination marketing organizations in the region.
“The Cincy region has come together to make sure this is an exciting weekend for visitors and residents alike to celebrate the historic season,” said Julie Calvert, President and CEO of the Cincinnati USA CVB. “There are many options, from family activities to special Bengals tailgates, themed food and beverages and more. Visitors can celebrate the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day in one exciting destination.”
Approximately 30,000 Bengals fans kicked off Super Bowl week Monday night at Paul Brown Stadium at the Opening Night Fan Rally. The free, but ticketed, event was filled with guest appearances, live music and speeches from the Bengals players like quarterback Joe Burrow and Coach Zac Taylor.
The festivities will continue throughout the week with celebrations and watch parties at various sites. There are four main “Who Dey Zones” across greater Cincinnati – Fountain Square, The Banks, Findlay Market and Newport on the Levee.
The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.
“This is a special team, playing for a special group of fans, in a special city,” Taylor said Monday night. “We gotta finish this thing off the right way.”
Pregame fun at the Square
Fountain Square will play host to several events leading up to the kickoff that aim to get fans hyped for the big day.
The action gets started Thursday night with “Party Like It's 1989,” a celebration honoring the era of the last Bengals squad to make the Super Bowl. The following night the Square will host “Welcome to the Jungle Party,” the name of the unofficial anthem for the Bengals. Odds are the Guns N’ Roses song will be heard at least a time or three during the night.
Both events will go from 4-9:30 p.m. There will be music both nights and adult beverages will be available for purchase at a full-service bar.
On Saturday, a Who Dey and Friends Skate wil take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bengals’ mascot, "Who Dey," and his friends – Gary the Lion of FC Cincinnati, Mr. Red of the Cincinnati Reds and Puck Chop from the Cincinnati Cyclones – will be on the ice for photo opportunities.Young skaters can take a break to get their face painted for free.
The Show Your Stripes Party later in the day Saturday fans decked out in their orange and black will be invited down to the square for an evening of “Who Dey?” chants and live music from DJ Fusemania and the band, Audio Graffiti.
Watch parties here, there and everywhere
The National Football League said no to proposed plans for a watch party inside Paul Brown Stadium, but there are plenty of other locations around town where fans will be taking part in game-day fun.
Fountain Square Game ‘Dey’ party
Bengals fans of all ages are invited to visit the heart of downtown Cincinnati for the city’s first NFL championship celebration. The game will play, with sound, on the massive LED board high above Fountain Square.
Before the game, there will be:
- Music from DJ Arie starting at 1 p.m.
- Live music from local favorites, 2nd Wind Band starting at 2:30 p.m.
- Free face painting
- Heaters and seating on Fountain Square’s Plaza
- Hot and cold drink specials at Fountain Square’s full-service bar
- Celebratory pyrotechnics throughout the game
Guests can also reserve a spot inside the warming tent at the Square. Those seats cost $10 though.
Indoor, outdoor fun at The Banks
The Banks will get started early at 2 p.m. and go until midnight, giving revelers plenty of time to hopefully celebrate a Bengals championship.
The party will spread across the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) at The Banks including food, beverages and four viewing areas on Freedom Way and the Schmidlapp Event Lawn. There will be live music from 2 p.m. until game time.
The Banks offers a great tailgate-like atmosphere with many sports bars and places to catch the game. Fans can bring their beverages outdoors and carry them throughout the 85-acre district.
Kentucky-style Bengals celebration at Newport on the Levee
Just across the Ohio River, Newport on the Levee welcomes Bengals fans to tailgate leading up to the action.
From 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., The Gallery and Bridgeview Box Park will feature live music, themed photo-ops, face painting, balloon artists and pop-up food and beverage vendors.
Following the tailgate party, fans can catch the game live at one of the Levee’s restaurants and bars. Several of the Levee’s retailers and restaurants plan to offer Super Bowl specials.
If they have a TV, the game will be on
Bars, breweries and restaurants across greater Cincinnati are rolling out the red carpet for fans. Most are operating on a first-come, first-serve basis but others are hosting formal Super Bowl parties that require an RSVP and/or a fee.
Cincinnati USA has a running list of planned parties and special details on its Cincy on Super Bowl Sunday page.
Of course, it’s not just about watching the game. Other businesses are offering Super Bowl specials and Bengals-centric experiences to help show support for the hometown team. Deals range from specialty T-shirts to Bengals-inspired nail art. Neusole Glassworks will let fans make their own Who Dey-style pint glass for $30 to $35 depending on the type.
Findlay Market and its vendors are hosting specials throughout the weekend. They range from orange jello shots, kill the keg specials, specialty cocktails to Bengals-themed food from market vendors. There will also be live music and an inflatable football toss.
Events are sure to be added and evolve over the course of the week so make sure to check The Cincinnati USA for updates.