usatoday
The wait is nearly over for football fans as the NFL preseason officially gets underway this week with the annual Hall of Fame game. The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers are set to square off in Canton, Ohio, marking the return of gridiron action after a long offseason.
Scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 p.m. ET, the game will be held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, just two days before the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony. This year's contest carries special significance, as it features two teams closely tied to the 2026 Hall of Fame class.
The Cardinals and Panthers are represented by legendary figures Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly, respectively, both of whom spent their entire careers with their respective franchises. Their contributions will be honored on Aug. 8, alongside Drew Brees, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig.
How to Watch and Stream
Fans can catch the game on local NBC affiliates, with streaming options available on Peacock, NFL+, and Fubo. This marks the first taste of NFL action in nearly five months, setting the stage for the regular season.
The regular season opener is slated for Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl 60. The following night, the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will face off in an NFC West showdown in Australia, with the rest of Week 1 continuing through Monday, Sept. 14.
Originally reported by usatoday.