Anticipation grew as kickoff neared at Smoke Justis - Pictured is Matt Weismann celebrating the first home game of the regular season. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor

It has been 210 days, 10 hours, and seven minutes as of this writing since the Cincinnati Bengals rode home from Inglewood, California with their helmets in their hands and new gameplays drawn for the 2022-2023 season.

Returning to the former Paul Brown Stadium to a welcome home party, the Cincinnati Bengals were reminded that the entire Tri-State was behind them, no matter the outcome. For today’s home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, one would think we were still in the final playoff games gunning for the Super Bowl. 

The fans have turned out in droves, lining the streets and packing the parking lots with painted faces, freshly printed jerseys, and a hopeful spirit we can do it all over again this season.

Tickets for the season have totally sold out. Jerseys are flying off the shelves.  The Bengals organization has taken notice not only with a name change for the stadium from Paul Brown to Paycor Stadium but with adjustments to ticket pricing. This season the average ticket price per game (once one of the lowest in the league) almost doubled over last. 

Even so, the fans are here to celebrate the wins, mourn the losses, and continue to support the team at home, in packed bars, and tailgating in parking lots all over Northern Kentucky. 

Who Dey, indeed. 

Click through the gallery to see tailgating and parties in the Roebling Point area Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022.

Keystone Bar and Grill held a pre-game party for fans at their Covington location. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Keystone Bar and Grill held a pre-game party complete with game day eats for fans at their Covington location. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Fans claimed spots early to tailgate prior to the Bengals kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Fans paked inside Keystone Bar and Grill as rain threatened during the morning hours. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Keystone Bar and Grill had multiple TVs to catch every angle of the game. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Wings, hotdogs, brats, and their famous mac and cheese were all on the menu at Keystone Bar and Grill during their pre-game party in Covington. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Fans chow down at Keystone Bar and Grill during their pre-game party for fans at their Covington location. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Fans chow down at Keystone Bar and Grill during their pre-game party for fans at their Covington location. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Keystone Bar and Grill had prizes and giveaways for fans at their pre-game party at their Covington location. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Keystone Bar and Grill had multiple TVs to catch every angle of the game. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Once the drizzle stopped, fans mingled outside eating and drinking during Keystone Bar and Grills pre-game party in Covington. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Fans stayed dry inside Keystone Bar and Grill in Covington enjoying a variety of game day food and drink specials. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Fans commemorate the first regular season tailgate with a selfie in Covington. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Covington’s parking lots packed in fans from both teams for cookouts and pre-game festivities. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Covington’s parking lots packed in fans from both teams for cookouts and pre-game festivities. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Covington Yard hosted their own pre-game party complete with DJ Mr. Fantastic.Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Covington Yard got into the Who Dey spirit with their own pre-game party complete with DJ Mr. Fantastic and drink specials all “Dey.” Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Kids toss the old pigskin awaiting the kickoff to the first home game of the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Yard games and drink specials gave visitors to Covngton Yard something to celebrate about prior to the start of the Bengals home opener game. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Enjoying a orange frozen drink perhaps? Fans waited out the rain before the Bengals versus Steelers game at Frosthaus in Covington. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Smoke Justis had fans from both teams hanging out bfore kickoff in Covington. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Smoke Justis was filled with folks celebrating before the home opener against Pittsburgh. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Donning their jerseys, fans await the start of the game at Smoke Justis. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Even the smallest fans got into the Who Dey spirit at Smoke Justis. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
At Smoke Justis, fans had a hearty menu and plenty of drink specials to keep them fueled up for kick off. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Anticipation grew as kickoff neared at Smoke Justis – Pictured is Matt Weismann celebrating the first home game of the regular season. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor
Smoke Justis was filled with folks celebrating before the home opener against Pittsburgh. Photo by Alecia Ricker | LINK nky contributor