Panthers and Cardinals to kick off 2026 NFL preseason in Hall of Fame Game
The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals are set to open the 2026 NFL preseason in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on a weekend that will also see Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald, Roger Craig and Adam.
The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game features the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The game opens the 2026 NFL preseason during the Hall of Fame's enshrinement weekend, a tradition dating back to the first game in August 1962.
The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will meet in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, the opening contest of the NFL preseason. The game is set for Canton, Ohio, with one source placing it on Thursday, August 6, though another reports live coverage beginning at 7 PM ET on Sunday, and the two accounts cannot be reconciled from available reporting. The Hall of Fame Game has been played annually in Canton since August 1962, staged at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium next to the Hall of Fame building itself. It anchors the weekend of the Hall's induction ceremonies. This year, according to reports, five players — Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri — are due to be formally enshrined on Saturday. The matchup carries added interest because both clubs have reportedly named their starting quarterbacks, identified as Carson Beck and Kenny Pickett, while the Panthers must adjust after defensive lineman LaBryan Ray's retirement, reported shortly before their preseason opener.
Panthers and Cardinals to open the 2026 preseason in Canton
The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will meet in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, the opening contest of the NFL preseason, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The game is played each year next to the Hall of Fame building during induction weekend.
Scheduling details vary between sources. According to one report, the game is set for Thursday, August 6, 2026. Another source has live coverage beginning at 7 PM ET on Sunday. The two accounts cannot both describe the same kickoff, and the discrepancy remains unresolved.
The broadcast plan, per reports, carries the game on NBC with streaming available on Peacock. Tickets are available through official channels, according to the same coverage.
Beck and Pickett named as starters as Panthers adjust on defence
Both clubs named their starting quarterbacks in the run-up to the game, according to reports. Carson Beck and Kenny Pickett were identified as the starters, though the announcements did not make clear which quarterback would line up for which team.
Carolina also released its first depth chart of the 2026 preseason ahead of the trip to Canton, reports said, giving an early indication of how the Panthers intend to line up for the opener.
The Panthers were dealt a late setback on defence. Defensive lineman LaBryan Ray retired shortly before the team's first preseason game, according to reports, forcing an adjustment to Carolina's plans up front. The exact date of his retirement was not disclosed.
A Canton tradition since 1962, and a five-man class to be enshrined
The Hall of Fame Game is one of the oldest fixtures on the NFL calendar. First played in August 1962, it is an annual preseason exhibition staged in Canton, Ohio, during the weekend of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's induction ceremonies. The game takes place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, which sits next to the Hall of Fame building itself, and it traditionally marks the opening contest of each NFL preseason.
The game is only part of the weekend's events in Canton. According to reports, five players are due to be formally enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday: Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri. Kuechly's induction carries particular resonance for Carolina, where he spent his playing career, while Fitzgerald is similarly synonymous with Arizona — giving both teams in this year's game a direct connection to the class being honoured.
First Hall of Fame Game played
Panthers and Cardinals announce their starting quarterbacks, identified as Carson Beck and Kenny Pickett
Panthers release their first depth chart of the 2026 preseason
Panthers defensive lineman LaBryan Ray retires
Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals, opening the 2026 NFL preseason in Canton, Ohio
Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri are formally enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio
Live coverage of the game begins, broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock
Odds, broadcasters and what comes next
Interest in the matchup extended beyond the field. According to covers.com, betting odds were published for the Panthers-Cardinals game, alongside market probabilities from the prediction platform Kalshi, though the specific figures were not disclosed.
The game also arrives amid a reshuffle in NFL broadcasting. FOX Sports announced its 2026 broadcast lineup ahead of the season, a roster the network says includes nearly 30 collective Super Bowl championships, five Hall of Famers and more than 45 Emmy Awards among its personnel.
What happens next is straightforward. The preseason opener in Canton gets the 2026 exhibition schedule under way, and from there both clubs move into the remainder of their warmup fixtures, using the weeks ahead to settle rosters and depth charts before the regular season begins in September.
Frequently asked questions
Who is playing in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
The 2026 Hall of Fame Game features the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals. The game serves as the opening contest of the 2026 NFL preseason. It is part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's annual induction weekend, a tradition that dates back to the first Hall of Fame Game played in August 1962.
When is the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
According to reports, the game is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026. However, one source says live coverage begins at 7 PM ET on Sunday, and the two accounts cannot be reconciled from available reporting. The game takes place during the Hall of Fame's enshrinement weekend, with the induction ceremony held on Saturday.
Where is the Hall of Fame Game played?
The game is held in Canton, Ohio, according to reports. It is played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, which sits next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame building. The game is an annual NFL preseason exhibition staged during the weekend of the Hall of Fame's induction ceremonies.
How can I watch the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
According to reports, the game is broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock. One source says live coverage begins at 7 PM ET, though it places that coverage on Sunday while another source dates the game to Thursday, August 6. Viewers should confirm the exact timing through official listings closer to the date.
Who are the starting quarterbacks in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
The Panthers and Cardinals announced their starting quarterbacks ahead of the game, identified in reports as Carson Beck and Kenny Pickett. Which quarterback starts for which team was not stated in the available reporting. The announcements came ahead of the preseason opener in Canton.
Who is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026?
According to reports, five players are being formally enshrined on Saturday in Canton, Ohio: Drew Brees, Roger Craig, Luke Kuechly, Larry Fitzgerald and Adam Vinatieri. The enshrinement ceremony is the centrepiece of the weekend, with the Hall of Fame Game between the Panthers and Cardinals opening the preseason around it.
Compiled from reporting by 9 independent outlets. How we source our reporting.
