CINCINNATI —

The city's Super Bowl runner-ups may have a new stadium name for the upcoming 2023 season.

A source confirmed to WLWT's Brandon Saho that the Bengals ownership is actively shopping the naming rights for Paul Brown Stadium.

This comes after a previous season in which the Bengals exploded into the national spotlight following a historic Super Bowl appearance.

Almost 22 years ago, Paul Brown Stadium opened for its first NFL game.

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The name, Paul Brown Stadium, is currently one of three NFL stadiums that do not have a corporate naming deal.

The other two are Soldier Field in Chicago and Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

A potential "new name" deal would not be possible without vote from both Hamilton County and City Hall of Cincinnati.

This is because Paul Brown Stadium is owned by the Hamilton County taxpayers, so both sides will have to vote on the potential deal.

Yet still, a name change could bring in a flux of new money to the team.

Recently, arch-rival the Pittsburgh Steelers, recently changed the name of "Heinz Field" to "Acrisure Stadium", after the insurance company bought the naming rights just a few weeks ago.

This is a breaking news story. WLWT will continue to update you with any new information.

CINCINNATI — Fans cheered on as the Bengals loaded up on buses Saturday afternoon and left Paul Brown Stadium en route for Arrowhead Stadium ahead of the AFC Championship game on Sunday.

The Bengals face the Chiefs Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Kansas City.

As the Bengals took on the Tennessee Titans in their first playoff game in decades, fans donning orange and brown flooded the stadium; many plan to do it again in Kansas, loading up to follow the team across the plains.

Others plan to stay close to home, organizing watch parties all over Cincinnati to cheer on the team.

WATCH: The Bengals depart for Kansas City

CINCINNATI — The delegation tasked with sizing up potential host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is on its way to Dallas after a busy Friday looking into what Cincinnati has to offer.

Delegates split into four groups visited the Banks, Paul Brown Stadium and training facilities, as well as met with business and political leaders to decide if Cincinnati is the right place to host World Cup games. Officials must ensure facilities meet the goals of a world-class venue, meaning infrastructure plays a big role in their decision. Still, there is more than brick and mortar that goes into the decision. When picking host cities, delegates are also looking at the community.

"What they're so focused on and concerned about is the spirit of the city...the spirit of this region," said Julie Calvert with Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. "What's important to them is the authenticity, the spirit of the people here."

Despite the rain, soccer fans turned out — showing off their authenticity and pride in Cincinnati in hopes of seeing the world's greatest players in five years. The passion did not go unnoticed, with Concacaf President Victor Montagliani calling the city "an authentic bunch."

"I love Cincinnati, and for them to get a chance to have such a big, you know, world spotlight on them would be amazing, and I think they can do great things with it," fan Maria Vassanelli said.

FIFA delegates visit Cincinnati for World Cup pitch

Organizers of the bid said the excitement would not only apply to Cincinnati, but surrounding areas. The city has regional partnerships with Cleveland, Columbus, Louisville and other cities to ensure fan experience throughout the region — exciting fans throughout the Tri-State.

"This is an exciting possibility for not only Cincinnati, but for the whole showcase of Northern Kentucky, Indiana. People will come down from all over," fan Jeffery Fromen said. "Three states right together, they have a lot to offer."

Delegates are also thinking about the future of soccer — and Cincinnati brought plenty of young fans to give a look into the area's fanbase.

"Ultimately, the World Cup is delivered by people. That's what's been great to see here today is how everyone has pulled together across the Tri-States and to want to host the World Cup here," said Colin Smith, FIFA's chief competitions and events officer. "The presentation we received today was excellent."

If things go Cincinnati's way, officials said, the World Cup could bring up to $480 million to the Tri-State. There are still 17 other U.S. cities in the running — and organizers believe the city has a great chance of hosting a group stage. A decision should be made by March 2022.

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Editor's note: WCPO 9 is a media sponsor of the group behind the bid Cincinnati Soccer City USA. Our coverage of the bid is not influenced by the sponsorship and our editorial decisions and reporting are independent.

CINCINNATI — For the Bengals coaching staff, the anticipation for the upcoming season can be equated to that of a child waiting to see what Santa Claus brought.

“It’s like Christmas morning again,” said Bengals assistant head coach Darrin Simmons. “I know what’s in the wrapping, but I haven’t gotten to play with the toys yet.”

Training camp begins this week, in a year when the expectations are higher than in recent seasons.

“We need to do better; we know that,” team owner Mike Brown said. “We think we’re in position to do that. We look forward to doing better and getting the stadium looking the way at games that we think it should.”

He’s talking about packing Paul Brown Stadium with fans, which they are allowed to do this season with COVID-19-related attendance restrictions having been lifted.

“You just feel that excitement that you forgot that you missed,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “You didn’t forget, but you didn’t get to experience it. Now that it’s back, I know that our players are juiced up. Our fans, our coaches, everybody’s ready to get a full crowd out here and get after it.”

A full crowd at home would be the first of quarterback Joe Burrow’s pro career. Remarkably, Burrow is fully cleared to practice on day one of training camp — eight months after a serious knee injury.

"To be where he is now does not surprise me," offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said. "It's almost unfairly expected just because we know how he works."

The Bengals are looking for their first winning season since 2015.

The team kicks off their 2021 campaign Sept. 12 at home against the Minnesota Vikings.

CINCINNATI — Yogis gathered at Paul Brown Stadium Saturday for NamasDey, and this year's virtual yoga event raised money for an organization that expands access to feminine care products.

NamasDey was presented by Kroger and U by Kotex in partnership with Tidal Babe Period Bank.

The organization was founded in 2018, when advocates learned that one in four women in the Cincinnati area struggle to get feminine products. Since then, Tidal Babe has helped an average of 1,500 women a month by sending them period supply kits.

READ MORE: P&G to raise prices of baby, feminine care products this September
RELATED: Proposal would place free pads, tampons in Cincinnati Public Schools restrooms

"It's not only a health issue," said Anna MacLennan with the Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls. "It's also a hygiene issue and, frankly, a personal dignity issue. If you don't have that product, you can't feel comfortable, you can't feel safe, you can't feel clean. So, if you don't go to school, you don't go to work, that can just exacerbate inequalities that already exist."

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