How To Watch Detroit Lions First Preseason Game Against Bengals

The Detroit Lions, led by sixth-year head man Dan Campbell, are set to take the field for the first time this preseason Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST at Paycor Stadium, providing Lions fans with their first chance to see the 2026 roster in game action.

Detroit and Cincinnati last squared off with one another in Week 5 of the 2025 season. The Lions prevailed, 37-24, in a game that saw Jake Browning start in place of the injured Joe Burrow.

This exhibition contest Thursday will be televised across multiple local stations in Michigan (detailed below).

The television broadcast will feature play-by-play voice Jack Kizer (subbing for Jason Benetti), former Lions offensive lineman T.J. Lang and sideline reporter Patti Cesarini. For fans who would rather tune in on the radio, the game will also be broadcast on the Lions Radio Network, with 97.1 The Ticket serving as the flagship station. Dan Miller and Lomas Brown will handle the radio call.

On Thursday, most of Detroit’s first-stringers will not see the field, including signal-caller Jared Goff. It makes the Lions’ preseason tilt with Cincinnati all the more meaningful for the organization’s younger players and those competing for roster spots.

First-round pick Blake Miller, for one, will get his first taste of game action as he competes for the starting right tackle job along with veteran Larry Borom.

Additionally, the backup quarterback position will be another storyline to watch.

Undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer has received a healthy dose of second-and-third-team reps so far in training camp, and is likely to garner a significant number of snaps against the Bengals. Meanwhile, veteran backup Josh Dobbs, who was recently signed by Detroit, is also expected to see some time under center.

All in all, Thursday night's matchup will provide the Lions faithful with its first real look at the team's first-year pros, roster hopefuls and ongoing position battles.

The Lions' contest with Cincinnati marks the first of three exhibition games for Campbell’s squad, with its first and only preseason home game taking place August 22 vs. Washington.

Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals

Date: Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. EST
Location: Paycor Stadium
TV: Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK), Fox 17 West Michigan (WXMI), Fox 36 Toledo, Fox 47 Lansing (WSYM), List of local affiliates
TV announcers: Jack Kizer, T.J. Lang, Patti Cesarini
Radio: 97.1 The Ticket, List of radio affiliates
Radio announcers: Dan Miller, Lomas Brown

Add us as a preferred source on Google