Hall of Fame Game Returns to Canton for 2026
The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame game will be played on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, kicking off the NFL preseason schedule.
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will meet on the field, with wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals and linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Panthers slated for induction into the Hall of Fame on August 8.
Kenny Pickett is expected to start at quarterback for the Panthers, while Carson Beck will take the same role for the Cardinals, adding a layer of intrigue to the exhibition.
NBC will broadcast the game on television, with streaming available through Peacock, NFL+ and Fubo, the latter offering a one‑week free trial for new viewers.
The event forms part of the Hall’s Enshrinement Weekend, which includes a dinner on August 7 and the official ceremony on August 8, and it also supports fundraising efforts for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Historically, the Hall of Fame game has served as the traditional opener of the preseason since 1970, linking the league’s past with its future as fans anticipate the start of the new campaign.