Cincinnati Bengals

Paycor Stadium right on the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati went from being one of the quieter stadiums in the NFL to a straight-up madhouse during the 2022 Super Bowl run. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and a defense that just wouldn't quit turned this franchise upside down, and the fans went right along with it. The "Who Dey" chant has never been louder.

Bengals fans are loyal in a way that only fans of long-suffering franchises can be. They sat through the droughts, the playoff losses, and the decades of mediocrity, and when everything finally clicked, the celebration was years in the making. If you're at Paycor when the Bengals score, the crowd erupts with a ferocity that makes the stadium feel smaller and louder than it actually is.

The tailgate game around Paycor is strong. Longworth Hall and the lots along Mehring Way are where the action is. Grills loaded with brats and burgers, Cincinnati-style chili dogs making the rounds, and enough Hudepohl and Rhinegeist to keep everyone hydrated.

Before the game, Over-the-Rhine (OTR) is a short walk from the stadium and has become one of the best food and drink neighborhoods in the Midwest. Rhinegeist Brewery is a must. After the game, The Banks along the riverfront is right there. Cincinnati football has officially arrived, and Paycor Stadium is the place to witness it. Who Dey.