Bengals Fly to Madrid for Week 9 Game
The Bengals departed Tuesday night for Spain to face the Atlanta Falcons, with Joe Burrow boarding the team flight in a Pikachu-themed hoodie.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
The Cincinnati Bengals departed Tuesday night for Madrid ahead of their Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Bengals shared video on Twitter/X showing quarterback Joe Burrow boarding the team flight wearing a yellow Pikachu-themed hoodie and neck pillow.
Why it matters
The early departure lets the team arrive in Spain several days before kickoff to acclimate to the time change. The game also marks the first meeting with the Falcons since safety Jessie Bates III left Cincinnati for Atlanta.
The team's departure timing is documented through an official video post, with the Bengals leaving Tuesday night for a Week 9 game in Madrid. The source does not provide the exact kickoff date or time.
The players
Joe Burrow
Joe Burrow is the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals and has been a prominent figure in the franchise since being drafted first overall in 2020.
Jessie Bates III
Jessie Bates III is a former Bengals safety who signed with the Atlanta Falcons after leaving Cincinnati.
The details
Burrow, a known Pokémon fan who discussed his card collection with reporters in December 2025, boarded the flight in a yellow Pikachu-themed hoodie and neck pillow. The Bengals will face Bates III, who left the team for the Falcons, for the first time since his departure.
Timeline
Dec. 2025: Burrow discussed his Pokémon card collection with reporters.
Tuesday night: The Bengals departed for Madrid.
Week 9: The Bengals face the Atlanta Falcons in Spain.
Season Trajectory
The NFL has expanded regular-season games in London, Mexico City, Germany, and Spain in recent years, and the Bengals' trip to Madrid continues that international pattern. For a Cincinnati team that must manage a long transatlantic road trip, the travel demands make the early departure a competitive consideration within the broader season schedule.
Fans following Burrow and the Bengals can track the Week 9 matchup in Spain, which is the first game against Bates III since his move to Atlanta. The team's early departure matters for fantasy and roster planning, since travel timing can affect player availability for the matchup.
The takeaway
The Bengals' early departure reflects a deliberate approach to managing time-zone adjustment before a distant road game. Fans can follow the team's travel and game-week updates as the matchup approaches.
What happens next
The Bengals are scheduled to play the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid in Week 9.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Cincinnati Football.
