The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will meet in the 2026 NFL/Hall of Fame Game, the NFL has announced.
The preseason game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The game will kickoff at 8:00pm ET / 5:00pm PT and will be nationally televised by NBC and streamed via Peacock.
Arizona will be designated as the home team for the contest, while Carolina will be the visiting side.
“Both of these teams are eager to come to Canton to open their season and to celebrate members of the Class of 2026 who meant so much to their organizations,” said Jim Porter, president & CEO of the Hall of Fame.
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers first met in 1995 and have faced off 22 times in the regular season, most recently in 2025 when Arizona earned a 27-22 victory. Carolina still holds the overall edge in the series, 15-7.
Arizona enters the upcoming season with first‑time head coach Mike LaFleur, while Dave Canales enters his third season holding a 13-21 record overall.
This year’s matchup marks the Cardinals’ sixth appearance in the Hall of Fame Game (previous trips in 1962, 1974, 1986, 2012, and 2017) and the Panthers’ second (1995). Arizona holds a 1‑3‑1 record in the showcase, while Carolina won its lone appearance.
The complete 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule will likely be released in early-to-mid May in conjunction with the release of the regular-season NFL Schedule.
Below is the complete schedule for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week presented by Novartis:
Aug. 6: Hall of Fame Game presented by Novartis (Cardinals vs. Panthers)
Aug. 7: Enshrinees’ Gold Jacket Dinner presented by Haggar
Aug. 8: Grand Parade presented by Certified Angus Beef
Aug. 8: Enshrinement of the Class of 2026
Aug. 9: Class of 2026 Unscripted & Tailgate presented by Employers Health
Aug. 9: Concert for Legends featuring Lainey Wilson
FOOTBALL SCHEDULES
Crazy that Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft aren’t being inducted this year!
Paying for their own sins. It would not surprise me at all to hear Kraft’s name come up in the Epstein matter, particularly in light of his little massage incident that he paid his way out of. I would be fine with both of them waiting even longer, but the rule changes will allow Billicheat to get by next year.
Bears Safety Gary Fencik 1976-1987 is well overdue to be a senior finalist for pro football hall of fame & best secondary player on that fantastic Super Bowl XX team in 1985.
Could not disagree more. Not only was Fencik not the best secondary player on that team, he wasn’t even the best safety. He was merely a good player on a great defense and that doesn’t qualify for HOF indiuction.
If there is anybody left from the 85 team that should even be considered it’s not Fencik it’s Jay Hilgenburg and that is a very long stretch.
JM I support your comment & again he will be a senior finalist hopefully next year.
Illininoles97 Wish I had better news unfortunately I am not a fan of your comment.
Coach Eaton