The countdown to kickoff for college + NFL football is on, and we’ve got the 411 on when and where to catch all the action around Lexington. 🏈
The University of Kentucky will host the University of Louisiana at Monroe for their season opener on Sat., Sept. 4.
Eastern Kentucky University will head to Western Carolina University to play their first game of the season on Sat., Sept. 4 .
While the Cincinnati Bengals won’t have their first game until Sun., Sept. 12 at home versus the Minnesota Vikings, it’s still perfectly acceptable to plan out your game days in Lexington.
Fun facts about our local teams
- DYK: The University of Kentucky has played the University of Tennessee 117 times since 1893, making Tennessee the most-played team for Kentucky. Since both teams became charter members of the Southeastern Conference in 1932, Tennessee has won 53 games to Kentucky’s 14. The teams have tied three times.
- More rivalries, anyone? The Kentucky-Louisville rivalry began in 1912 and was played for a trophy titled the Governor’s Cup. This rivalry was suspended after six years, however, was reinstated in 1994. Kentucky leads the series 17–15.
- According to Finance Buzz, Bengals fans spend an average of $58.26 on food and drink (excluding alcohol), $29.62 on alcoholic beverages, and $153.11 on Bengal’s merchandise per year.
- The Bengals are tied with the Detroit Lions for the sixth most difficult schedule this season, according to the CBS Sports schedule rankings.
Cincinnati Bengals
🗓️ Home game schedule
🏈Sun., Sept. 12 — Bengals vs. Minnesota Vikings
🏈Thurs., Sept. 30 — Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
🏈Sun., Oct. 10 — Bengals vs. Green Bay Packers
🏈Sun., Nov. 7 — Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
🏈Sun., Sept. 28 — Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
🏈Sun., Dec. 5 — Bengals vs. Los Angeles Chargers
🏈Sun., Dec. 12 — Bengals vs. San Francisco 49ers
🏈Sun., Dec. 26 — Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
🏈Sun., Jan. 02 — Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs
🎟️Tickets: There are four main ticket options — Season Tickets, Single Game tickets, 3-Game Pack tickets, and Group Seating tickets. Prices start at $44 for select single games. The ticket office is located at 1 Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
University of Kentucky Wildcats
🗓️ Home game schedule + game day themes:
🏈Sat., Sept. 04 — Kentucky vs. University of Louisiana at Monroe
🏈Sat., Sept. 11 — Kentucky vs. Missouri
🏈Sat., Sept. 18 — Kentucky vs. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
🏈Sat., Oct. 02 — Kentucky vs. Florida
🏈Sat., Oct. 09 — Kentucky vs. Louisiana State
🏈Sat., Nov. 6 — Kentucky vs. Tennessee
🏈Sat., Nov. 20 — Kentucky vs. New Mexico State
🎟️Tickets: You can buy tickets online, with prices starting at $13 for select single games. The ticket office is located at 338 Lexington Ave., Lexington, KY.
Eastern Kentucky University
🗓️ Home game schedule + game day themes
🏈Sat., Sept.18 — Eastern Kentucky vs. Indiana State
🏈Sat., Sept. 25 — Eastern Kentucky vs. Austin Peay
🏈Sat., Oct. 2 — Eastern Kentucky vs. Tarleton | Homecoming
🏈Sat., Oct. 9 — Eastern Kentucky vs. Abilene Christian
🏈Sat., Oct. 30 — Eastern Kentucky vs. Lamar | Paint the Town Pink Game
🏈Sat., Nov. 20 — Eastern Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State
🎟️Tickets: You can buy tickets online, with prices starting at $39 for select single games. The ticket office is located at 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY
Where to watch Bengals, Wildcats + Colonels games
🍺Drake’s | 866 Malabu Dr., Ste. 250
🍺KSBar | 1030 South Broadway
🍺Marikka’s Restaurant and Bier Stube | 411 Southland Dr.
🍺Tin Roof | 303 S. Limestone
🍺Campus Pub | 393 Waller Ave. Unit 18
🍺Pies and Pints | 401 W. Main St. Ste. 106
🍺Goodfellas Distillery | 1228 Manchester St.
🍺Winchell’s Restaurant and Bar | 348 Southland Dr.
Know of a Bengals, Wildcats, or Colonels bar that’s not mentioned above? We’d love to add it to our list. Email us with your favorite spot to spend game day in Lexington.
Happy football season, Lexington — don’t forget to tag us in all of your game day photos + videos using @lextoday or #LEXtoday. 📸
