About Paycor Stadium
Paycor Stadium sits on the Ohio River waterfront in downtown Cincinnati — a 65,515-seat open-air venue where the Cincinnati Bengals play football with the river, the Roebling Suspension Bridge, and the Kentucky hills as a backdrop. It is one of the most beautifully situated stadiums in the NFL.
The Bengals have called this place home since 2000, after three decades at the shared Riverfront Stadium and its successor Cinergy Field. The stadium was originally named for legendary coach and team founder Paul Brown. On fall Sundays, the “Who Dey” chant fills the Banks district while fans stream in from both Ohio and Kentucky across the river bridges.
Designed by NBBJ and led by architect Dan Meis, the $449.5 million stadium opened on August 19, 2000. It was the first NFL facility to win an American Institute of Architects design award, recognized for its sleek, asymmetrical bowl and the way it connects to the riverfront. The FieldTurf playing surface has been the home field since installation.
The Bengals’ 2021 playoff run — culminating in Super Bowl LVI — transformed the stadium from a frustration into a fortress. Joe Burrow’s arrival turned Paycor Stadium into one of the NFL’s most electric venues, and the Banks entertainment district surrounding the stadium has grown into a year-round destination that connects the ballpark, the stadium, and the river.
Getting to Paycor Stadium
Public Transit
Paycor Stadium is in the heart of Cincinnati’s riverfront district, accessible by streetcar and bus.
→ Via Cincinnati Bell Connector: The free streetcar circuit has a stop at Second and Main Streets, about four blocks from the stadium. The Connector loops through downtown and Over-the-Rhine.
→ Via Southbank Shuttle: The trolley runs from northern Kentucky’s Newport and Covington neighborhoods to the Banks area, steps from the stadium. A convenient option if you’re staying across the river.
Metro operates additional bus service on game days. If staying downtown, the stadium is a 10-minute walk from most hotels along the riverfront.
Driving + Parking
The stadium address is 1 Paul Brown Stadium Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45202. I-71 and I-75 converge just north of downtown.
→ From Columbus (~110 mi): I-71 South directly to downtown Cincinnati. About 1 hour 45 minutes.
→ From Indianapolis (~110 mi): I-74 East to I-75 South into Cincinnati. About 1 hour 50 minutes.
→ From Louisville (~100 mi): I-71 North to Cincinnati. About 1 hour 30 minutes.
Approximately 20,000 parking spaces surround the stadium. Official lots cost $25–$40. The Banks garages between the stadium and Great American Ball Park are the most convenient. Newport on the Levee in Kentucky offers cheaper options ($10–$20) with a short walk across the Taylor-Southgate Bridge. Pre-purchase through SpotHero.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft are widely available in downtown Cincinnati. Drop-off zones are along Pete Rose Way near the stadium entrance. Post-game pickup zones shift to reduce congestion — check the Bengals app. From downtown hotels, expect $6–$10. Surge pricing after games is moderate — walk to the Banks or across the Roebling Bridge and wait 10–15 minutes.
From the Airport
→ Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG): 13 miles south of the stadium in Hebron, Kentucky, about 15–20 minutes by car. Major hub for DHL and Frontier Airlines with growing domestic service. Rideshare runs $25–$35. TANK bus route 2X connects CVG to downtown Cincinnati.
History of Paycor Stadium
Paycor Stadium was built to replace Cinergy Field (formerly Riverfront Stadium), which the Bengals shared with the Cincinnati Reds from 1970 to 1999. In 1996, Hamilton County voters approved a sales tax to fund new stadiums for both teams. The $449.5 million project was designed by NBBJ and broke ground in 1998. The stadium was named for Paul Brown, the legendary coach who founded the Bengals in 1968.
First Game (August 19, 2000): The Bengals hosted the Chicago Bears in a preseason game before a sellout crowd. The first regular-season game came on September 10, a 24–7 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
First College Football Game (September 21, 2002): Ohio State defeated the University of Cincinnati 23–19 before 66,319 fans — the stadium’s all-time attendance record.
AFC Championship (January 30, 2022): The Bengals defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27–24 in overtime to reach Super Bowl LVI — the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance since 1988. Joe Burrow’s game-winning drive sent Cincinnati into a frenzy.
Naming Rights Change (August 2022): After 22 years as Paul Brown Stadium, the venue was renamed Paycor Stadium in a 16-year deal with the Cincinnati-based human capital management company.
From decades of frustration to a Super Bowl run that electrified a city, Paycor Stadium has witnessed the full arc of the Bengals’ story — and with Joe Burrow under center, the best chapters may still be ahead.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Paycor Stadium was the first NFL facility to win an American Institute of Architects (AIA) design award — architect Dan Meis of NBBJ created a sleek, asymmetrical bowl that remains one of the most visually striking stadiums in the league.
The Bengals won 12 of their first 13 home games at the stadium after opening in 2000, establishing an immediate home-field advantage that erased the franchise's losing reputation.
During the Bengals' 2021 Super Bowl run, 'Who Dey' chants from Paycor Stadium registered on seismographs at the University of Cincinnati — the first time fan noise from the stadium was scientifically measured.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Paycor Stadium?
- Paycor Stadium seats 65,515 for NFL games. The all-time attendance record is 66,319, set during the first college football game at the stadium on September 21, 2002 (Cincinnati vs. Ohio State).
- Where is Paycor Stadium located?
- Paycor Stadium is at 1 Paul Brown Stadium Drive in Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. It sits on the Ohio River waterfront in the Banks entertainment district, adjacent to Great American Ball Park and a short walk from downtown.
- How do I get to Paycor Stadium by public transit?
- The Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar stops at Second and Main Streets, about four blocks from the stadium. The Southbank Shuttle trolley runs from northern Kentucky to the Banks area. Metro bus routes also serve downtown on game days. WeGo provides free game-day shuttles from select locations.
- Is there parking at Paycor Stadium?
- Approximately 20,000 parking spaces are available near the stadium. Official stadium lots cost $25–$40. The Banks garages, Newport on the Levee (across the river in Kentucky), and downtown garages offer additional options at $15–$30. Pre-purchase through SpotHero.
- What was the stadium called before Paycor Stadium?
- The stadium opened as Paul Brown Stadium in 2000, named after the legendary coach and Bengals founder. In August 2022, the naming rights were sold to Paycor, a Cincinnati-based human capital management company, in a 16-year deal.
- What major events has Paycor Stadium hosted?
- The 2022 AFC Championship Game (Bengals' Super Bowl LVI run), international soccer friendlies, NCAA college football games, concerts from Kenny Chesney to The Rolling Stones, and the annual University of Cincinnati football games.
- Can you walk to Paycor Stadium from Northern Kentucky?
- Yes. The Roebling Suspension Bridge and Taylor-Southgate Bridge connect Covington and Newport, Kentucky to the Banks district, about a 15-minute walk to the stadium. Many fans park in Kentucky for cheaper lots and walk across.
Last updated: 2026-03-04
