Arizona Cardinals to play Carolina Panthers in 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game

The Arizona Cardinals will open the 2026 NFL preseason against the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame Game.

From the team:

The Pro Football Hall of Fame today announced that the Arizona Cardinals will play the Carolina Panthers to kick off the 2026 preseason on Thursday, August 6 in the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, OH. The game will air on NBC and kickoff time from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium is at 5:00 PM (Arizona Time).

The Cardinals played the New York Giants to a 21-21 tie in the first-ever Hall of Fame Game in 1962. It will be the franchise’s sixth HOF game appearance overall and first since 2017 when they played the Dallas Cowboys. It will be just the second Hall of Fame Game for the Panthers whose only other appearance was against the Jaguars in 1995, the inaugural season for both teams.

Both Arizona and Carolina have a representative in the HOF’s 2026 Class who spent his entire career with that franchise: wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald for the Cardinals and linebacker Luke Kuechly of the Panthers. The other members of the class are quarterback Drew Brees, running back Roger Craig and kicker Adam Vinatieri. The Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be inducted on Saturday, August 8 at the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. 

It should be a fun weekend and great opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of this years Hall of Fame class, including Fitz.