The Cincinnati Bengals’ 2026 schedule is starting to take shape with the announcement ahead of the NFL’s full schedule reveal May 14 of a Week 9 game in Spain against the Atlanta Falcons.
Do we know for a fact that the November game in Madrid means the Bengals will get a Week 10 bye? Not necessarily.
That said, teams usually have their bye week after an international game. But the NFL schedule-makers balance international travel with other scheduling considerations.
“Schedule makers will consider the three-week window around the international games to try to find ways to make lengthy travel less of a burden on the teams,” per NFL Operations.
Therefore, while teams can request a bye week following an international game, it is no longer a requirement.
In addition to the Bengals-Falcons game in Spain, the NFL has scheduled 2026 games in Australia, Brazil, France, Mexico and Germany, and three games in England.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals could get Week 10 bye after Spain game, but it’s not automatic
Reporting by Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
