Upcoming Cincinnati Bearcats Football dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Cincinnati football in brief: an 1880s program in the Big 12
Cincinnati plays its home games at Nippert Stadium on the University of Cincinnati's Clifton campus, and the regular season runs from late August or early September through late November. The program fielded a team as early as 1885, and its 1888 game against Miami (Ohio) was the first intercollegiate football game played in Ohio.
The Bearcats have won 16 conference championships across six leagues, including Mid-American titles from 1949 to 1952, Big East titles in 2008 and 2009, and American Athletic titles in 2020 and 2021. The 2008 team reached the Orange Bowl and the 2009 team the Sugar Bowl. The 2021 team made the College Football Playoff as the fourth seed, losing to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl; it was the only team from outside the power conferences to reach the four-team playoff. Cincinnati joined the Big 12 in 2023.
The colors are red and black, and the mascot is the Bearcat. Staff and rosters change, so check the official site for the current coaching staff.
Where to sit at Nippert Stadium
Nippert has been a playing site since 1901, gained its first permanent concrete structure in 1915, and was dedicated in 1924 to James Gamble "Jimmy" Nippert, a UC player who died after an injury in the 1923 season finale against Miami. It is generally described as the fourth-oldest playing site and fifth-oldest stadium in college football. An 86 million renovation finished in 2015 pushed capacity past 40,000; the current listed capacity is 38,088. The field is artificial turf.
West vs. east sideline
The 2015 renovation added the West Pavilion, which holds the press box, suites, loge boxes and premium seating; the east sideline is anchored by the Herschede-Shank Pavilion. The field runs roughly north-northeast to south-southwest, so in afternoon games the west-side seats tend to have the sun behind them while the east side looks toward it.
Sideline vs. end zone
Because Nippert is tucked tightly into the campus, seats are close to the field compared with larger stadiums, and even upper sideline rows feel near the action. Sideline seats between the 30-yard lines are the best view. End-zone seats are the cheaper choice and work well for watching red-zone plays, but the far end looks flat from low rows. Middle and upper rows on either sideline usually beat the very front rows, where the benches block part of the near side.
Rivalries and the Cincinnati games that draw the most demand
- Miami (Ohio): the Victory Bell series began in 1888 and is one of the oldest in Division I. The teams have met 129 times and the series is nearly even. Cancellations by both schools have left the rivalry without scheduled games after 2026.
- Louisville: the Keg of Nails series, Cincinnati's second-oldest rivalry, now played only when nonconference schedules allow.
- Big 12 opponents: ranked conference teams and brand-name visitors draw the largest Nippert crowds since the move to the Big 12 in 2023.
The stadium's record crowd is 40,124, set against UConn on October 24, 2015. Homecoming, night games and any matchup with conference-title stakes also push demand. Early nonconference games against smaller programs are the easiest tickets to find.
Gameday at Nippert: the Catwalk, parking and entry
Before each home game, the team walks through The Grid on the Catwalk, about two and a half hours before kickoff. The Bearcats Family Fun Zone on Sheakley Lawn opens about three hours before kickoff (two hours for noon games) and closes at halftime.
As of 2026, Nippert enforces a clear-bag policy (bags must be transparent; backpacks, large purses, coolers and camera bags are not allowed), gates open two hours before kickoff, concession stands are card-only, and alcohol sales end in the third quarter with a limit of two per purchase. Parking is in campus garages; season holders use several garages, single-game prepaid parking is sold for others, and a shuttle runs from Eden Garage starting four hours before kickoff. Policies and prices change, so check UC's Nippert gameday guide before you go.
How Cincinnati football tickets work
UC sells season tickets first, with the best sideline locations and parking tied to donations to the athletic department's donor program. Students receive their own allotment through the university. Single-game tickets go on sale after season tickets are placed.
Nippert is one of the smaller stadiums in the Big 12, which helps and hurts buyers. For lower-profile games, tickets stay available through game week. For ranked conference opponents, homecoming and night games, the limited capacity means the primary supply can run out, and resale becomes the main way in. Resale prices follow the team's record, the opponent, the kickoff time and the weather.
Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee, with guaranteed entry and no digital transfer fees.
Nippert Stadium beyond football
From 2016 through the 2020 season, Nippert was also home to FC Cincinnati, which set USL attendance records there before moving to TQL Stadium; about 2,000 seats were removed in 2017 to fit a regulation soccer field. In 2017 the stadium drew 30,596 for a U.S. women's national team match against New Zealand, a women's soccer attendance record for Ohio.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Cincinnati Bearcats play home football games?
Cincinnati plays at Nippert Stadium on the UC campus in the Clifton neighborhood. The current listed capacity is 38,088.
How old is Nippert Stadium?
Football has been played on the site since 1901, and the first permanent concrete structure was finished in 1915. It is often cited as the fourth-oldest playing site in college football.
Does Nippert Stadium have a clear-bag policy?
As of the 2026 season, yes: only clear bags are allowed, with exceptions for medical items after inspection. Check UC's gameday guide for the current rules.
What is the Victory Bell?
It is the trophy for the Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio) rivalry, which began in 1888 with the first college football game played in Ohio.
When do gates open at Nippert Stadium?
As of the 2026 season, gates open two hours before kickoff.