CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals fans not able to make it to Paul Brown Stadium for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans will be able to watch it on local television.
The team announced Friday that the game has sold out.
Earlier in the day, Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Chad Ochocinco announced on his Twitter account that he and Motorola teamed up to purchase the remaining tickets so the game could be shown on local television.
The Bengals have confirmed that the team, Local 12, and Motorola worked together to ensure the blackout would be lifted. As part of the plan, Motorola will give away 1,200 tickets (600 pairs) to Bengals fans for free, starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the North Ticket Office, which is next to the Pro Shop at Paul Brown Stadium.
Tickets will be given away on a first-come, first served basis to fans 16 and over. The Bengals say complimentary parking will be available in Lot D, located on Mehring Way east of Elm Street.
“We have great fans, and a sold-out Jungle will give us a real home field advantage,” said Katie Blackburn, Bengals executive vice president.
On Thursday, the NFL extended the deadline for a sellout by 24 hours, giving the team until Friday afternoon to sell the remaining 3,000 tickets.
Games normally must be sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff for lifting the local television blackout.
The sellout means the Bengals, who are currently 4-1 and in first place in the AFC North, have extended their consecutive sellout streak to 47 games.
Cincinnati also got a 24-hour extension before the season opener against Denver and managed to sell out in time to have the game shown locally.
The team says in spite of the blackout being lifted, there are still seats available for the game. They can be purchased by phone through the Bengals Ticket Hotline at (513)621-8383 until 5 p.m. Friday or between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday. Tickets can also be ordered anytime Friday or Saturday through Ticketmaster.com or in person at the Bengals ticket office at Paul Brown Stadium until 5 p.m Friday or between 9 a.m. and noon on Saturday.
The Bengals and Texans kickoff at 1 p.m.
