Cincinnati Parks is hyping up Bengal Jim's long-running tailgate tradition again, boosting a social media post from organizers announcing the group is back in Lot E near Smale Park as the Bengals prepare to face the Tennessee Titans. The gathering, known as the Bengal Jim and friends tailgate, has been a fixture of Bengals game days since 1993, hosted by Jimmie Foster, who goes by Bengal Jim.
The retweet, posted by the Cincinnati Parks account, known on social media as cincyparks, promotes Foster's call to bring the Who Dey family back together after a few weeks away. Cincinnati Parks describes its broader mission as building better lives and a better community through neighborhood parks, and the agency is based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bengal Jim himself framed the gathering as a return to the Jungle for the Titans matchup.
A Tradition Dating Back to 1993
Foster has hosted the tailgate since 1993, according to cincinnati.com, which also reports that Foster hosts his tailgating events in Lot E near Smale Park. Crowd estimates have varied over the years: Foster told the outlet the event accommodates between 2,000 and 5,000 people depending on weather and how the team is playing, while Cincinnati Magazine previously reported attendance of 2,500 to 5,000 people. Either way, it is among the largest fan gatherings tied to a single NFL team.
Bengal Jim is the nickname of Jimmie Foster, who leads what's formally known as the Before the Roar tailgate experience, according to the Tailgating Hall of Fame. That organization notes the event has evolved from a simple pregame cookout into a community built around volunteers, returning guests, and friendships, and that Bengal Jim opens his lot to everyone, including first-timers.
Parking Changes Complicate Game Day
This season's logistics look a little different than in years past. Construction tied to the Brent Spence companion bridge project is affecting parking near Paycor Stadium, the cincinnati.com report notes, and many lots and garages close to the stadium are only accessible on game days with a Bengals Parking Pass. Yahoo Sports similarly reported that tailgating options have shifted for the 2026-27 season because of the bridge work, even as Bengal Jim continues preparing for another year of the Before the Roar experience in Lot E.
Food, Charity and a Global Following
Cincinnati Magazine has chronicled just how elaborate the setup has become, describing a full-blown stage, a DJ, a sound system, and a 20-foot-tall inflatable Joe Burrow towering over the lot. The magazine reported that Skyline Chili, Donatos and Everything Bagel have handed out free food at past tailgates, with Skyline giving away the first 500 coneys before Donatos arrives with pizza slices. Every tailgate also features a charity selling raffle tickets for prizes like helmets and jerseys, and Bengal Jim has said the event is approaching $1 million raised for charity since 2019.
The tailgate's reach extends well beyond Cincinnati. Cincinnati Magazine reported that attendees have come from all 50 states, hundreds of cities, and nearly 40 different countries, a reflection of how far the Bengal Jim brand has traveled. The same report noted that at an away game in Miami, organizers pre-sold more than 1,000 tickets to a similar tailgate event.
Other Bengals game-day options exist around the city as well. A local guide from Tour de Cincinnati lists a VIP tailgate party that kicks off three hours before every home regular-season game for $100 a ticket, including a DJ, buffet, open bar and giveaways — though a separate listing from the same guide puts a similarly structured Before the Roar package at $75 per adult and $15 for children 12 and under. The guide also points fans toward FSQ, which hosts live music, drink specials, games and other activations before every home game.
