The NFL Hall of Fame Game 2026 between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will take place on Thursday, August 6, at 8 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Fans across the United States can watch the game live on NBC or stream it on Peacock.
The annual matchup will officially open the 2026 NFL preseason and begin a busy Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week in Canton.
Panthers vs. Cardinals Game Information
| Game detail | Information |
| Matchup | Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals |
| Date | Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| Start time | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV channel | NBC |
| Live stream | Peacock |
| Venue | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium |
| Location | Canton, Ohio |
| Competition | 2026 NFL preseason |
| Home team | Arizona Cardinals |
The Arizona Cardinals will serve as the home team, while the Carolina Panthers will play as the visiting team.
When Is the NFL Hall of Fame Game 2026?
The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
The matchup traditionally serves as the opening game of the NFL preseason. This year’s game will also begin the NFL’s 107th season and the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Week celebrations.
The Panthers and Cardinals will play before the remaining NFL teams begin their full preseason schedules.
What Time Does the Hall of Fame Game Start?
Panthers vs. Cardinals is scheduled to kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Here is the start time across the major United States time zones:
| US time zone | Start time |
| Eastern Time | 8 p.m. |
| Central Time | 7 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | 6 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | 5 p.m. |
Pregame coverage may begin before kickoff, so viewers should check their local NBC listings and the Peacock schedule on game day.
What Channel Is Panthers vs. Cardinals On?
The 2026 Hall of Fame Game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
NBC Sports’ announced broadcast team includes Mike Tirico on play-by-play, Cris Collinsworth as analyst, Melissa Stark reporting from the sideline and Terry McAulay serving as rules analyst.
Viewers using cable, satellite or a live television service should confirm that their package includes their local NBC station.
How to Live Stream the NFL Hall of Fame Game 2026
Fans in the United States can stream Panthers vs. Cardinals live through Peacock.
Peacock can be accessed through supported:
- Smart televisions
- Streaming devices
- Mobile phones
- Tablets
- Computers and web browsers
A qualifying Peacock subscription may be required. Subscription plans, pricing and availability can change, so viewers should check Peacock directly before the game.
NBC Sports and the Pro Football Hall of Fame have confirmed that the game will be presented live on both NBC and Peacock.
This article does not recommend unofficial or unauthorized streaming websites.
Where Is the 2026 Hall of Fame Game Being Played?
The game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
The stadium is located next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and hosts major events during Enshrinement Week. The venue will also host the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony on Saturday, August 8.
Fans attending the game should check official venue guidance for parking, stadium-entry rules, ticket requirements and permitted items before traveling.
Who Is Playing in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
The Carolina Panthers will face the Arizona Cardinals in this year’s game.
Arizona will enter the matchup under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur. The Cardinals’ roster includes tight end Trey McBride and safety Budda Baker, two of the team’s most established players.
Dave Canales coaches Carolina and enters his third season as the Panthers’ head coach. The Panthers finished last season with an 8-9 record, won the NFC South and hosted a playoff game.
Because this is a preseason game, both coaching staffs will likely use the matchup to evaluate rookies, newly signed players and competitors for roster spots.
Starters may play only briefly, and coaches may wait until closer to kickoff to announce final participation decisions.
Players and Storylines to Watch
One of the biggest questions surrounding any preseason opener is how much playing time established starters will receive.
For Carolina, attention will likely focus on quarterback Bryce Young, the development of the Panthers’ offense and the team’s younger players competing for larger roles.
Arizona will begin a new coaching era under Mike LaFleur. The Hall of Fame Game will provide an early opportunity to see how the Cardinals are adjusting to their new system.
However, preseason depth charts and starting lineups can change quickly. Fans should check the Panthers, Cardinals and NFL injury reports before the game for the latest player-availability information.
Why Are the Panthers and Cardinals Playing?
The matchup has a special connection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.
Former Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly are members of this year’s Hall of Fame class. Drew Brees, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri join them.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will recognize the five members of the Class of 2026 on the field during pregame activities. They will receive their Gold Jackets on August 7, and the Hall will formally enshrine them on Saturday, August 8.
The presence of Fitzgerald and Kuechly gives both participating teams a direct connection to this year’s celebrations.
Panthers and Cardinals Hall of Fame Game History
This will be the Cardinals’ sixth appearance in the Hall of Fame Game.
The franchise participated in the first Hall of Fame Game in 1962, when the then-St. Louis Cardinals tied the New York Giants 21-21. Arizona has a 1-3-1 record across its previous five appearances.
The Panthers have played in the Hall of Fame Game only once. Carolina defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-14 in 1995, the Panthers’ first season as an NFL franchise.
The August 6 matchup will therefore be Carolina’s first appearance in the event in more than three decades.
Does the Hall of Fame Game Count Toward the Regular Season?
No. The Hall of Fame Game is an NFL preseason game.
The result will not count toward either team’s regular-season record, playoff position or division standings.
Coaching staffs primarily use preseason games to evaluate players, test new systems and make decisions before they finalize their rosters.
The Panthers and Cardinals will each play additional preseason games after their meeting in Canton.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What time is the NFL Hall of Fame Game 2026?
The game will start at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Q2. Who is playing in the Hall of Fame Game?
The Carolina Panthers will play the Arizona Cardinals.
Q3. What channel is the Hall of Fame Game on?
NBC will broadcast the game nationally.
Q4. Can I stream Panthers vs. Cardinals?
Yes. Viewers in the United States can stream the game live on Peacock.
Q5. Where is the Hall of Fame Game played?
The game will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Q6. Which team is the home team?
The Arizona Cardinals will serve as the home team.
Q7. Is the Hall of Fame Game part of the regular season?
No. It is a preseason game and will not count toward the teams’ regular-season records.
Q8. When is the 2026 Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame will hold the Class of 2026 enshrinement ceremony on Saturday, August 8, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Final Details
The NFL Hall of Fame Game 2026 will give football fans their first live preseason action of the new campaign. The Panthers and Cardinals will meet on August 6 at 8 p.m. ET in Canton, with national television coverage on NBC and live streaming through Peacock.
Viewers should check official NFL, NBC and Peacock listings before kickoff in case any broadcast or scheduling details change.
Editor’s note: Game and broadcast information was verified on July 31, 2026. This article will be updated if the NFL or broadcaster announces any changes.
