NFL returns: 2026 Hall of Fame Game preview and schedule

The wait is almost over. Football is back! The NFL officially kicks off its 2026 season with the annual Hall of Fame Game, as the Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers in Canton, Ohio.

While it’s technically a preseason matchup, the game represents the symbolic start of a new NFL year, complete with fresh storylines, roster battles, and a celebration of the league’s history.

Game details: When and where

• Matchup: Cardinals vs. Panthers
• Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
• Time: 8:00 PM ET
• Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

A night about the past - and the future

As always, the Hall of Fame Game is about more than just football. The event is tied to the induction of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s newest class, including legends like Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly, both of whom spent their entire careers with the teams playing in this year’s game.

They’ll be joined by fellow inductees Drew Brees, Roger Craig, and Adam Vinatieri, all honored during pregame festivities.

A quick look at history

• The Cardinals are making their sixth Hall of Fame Game appearance.
• The franchise played in the first-ever game in 1962.
• The Panthers haven’t appeared since their inaugural 1995 season.

The Hall of Fame Game won’t decide playoff races or MVP awards, but it’s the first signal that football is finally back. For fans, it’s the first glimpse of new rosters, new coaches, and new possibilities. For players, it’s the start of the long journey toward the regular season.

And in Canton, where the game’s history lives, it all begins again. The 2026 NFL season starts with a preseason game that connects generations of football, from legends being honored to the stars just getting started.

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