Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers to kick off NFL’s 2026 season in Canton

Tickets for Hall of Fame Game presented by Novartis to go on sale to public at noon Monday, March 9

The National Football League’s 107th season will kick off in Canton on Thursday, Aug. 6, when the Arizona Cardinals play host to the Carolina Panthers in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game presented by Novartis at 8 p.m. ET inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

“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. 

LARRY FITZGERALD (Cardinals) and LUKE KUECHLY (Panthers) spent their entire careers with the teams that drafted them. They and fellow members of the Class of 2026 presented by Visual Edge IT – DREW BREES, ROGER CRAIG and ADAM VINATIERI – will be recognized on the field during pregame activities.

NBC Sports will return as broadcast partner, presenting the game live on NBC and Peacock with Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Melissa Stark (sideline reporter) and Terry McAulay (rules analyst) on the call.

Under first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, the Cardinals have been designated as the game’s home team. Arizona’s offense is led by first-team All-Pro Trey McBride, whose 126 receptions in 2025 set the NFL’s single-season record for a tight end, while safety Budda Baker, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, continues to lead the Cardinals’ defense.

Dave Canales, now in his third year, led the Panthers to an 8-9 record last season, the NFC South crown and a home playoff game – a narrow 34-31 loss to the Rams. Quarterback Bryce Young passed for more than 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns – seven to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the 2025 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

The teams played each other in Week 2 of the 2025 regular season at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. The Cardinals built a 27-3 lead and survived a late Panthers rally to hang on, 27-22.
 
This will be the sixth trip to Canton for the Cardinals, who have posted a 1-3-1 record in their previous appearances. The franchise, at the time based in St. Louis, holds the distinction of participating in the first Hall of Fame Game – played Aug. 11, 1962, more than a year before the museum opened. The Cardinals and New York Giants finished in a 21-21 tie, one of only two ties in the history of the game.

Carolina has not played in the Hall of Fame Game since the Panthers debuted in the NFL in 1995, playing fellow expansion franchise Jacksonville. In one of the most exciting Hall of Fame Games, the Panthers held the Jaguars out of the end zone from the 3 in the final seconds to prevail 20-14. A crowd of 24,625 – one of the largest in the game’s history – attended the contest in Fawcett Stadium, the predecessor of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Brees, Craig, Fitzgerald, Kuechly and Vinatieri will receive their Gold Jackets in downtown Canton the evening following the Hall of Fame Game, and they will be enshrined Saturday, Aug. 8, back inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Tickets for the 2026 Hall of Fame Game presented by Novartis will go on sale to the public at noon ET on Monday, March 9. Fans can buy tickets at https://www.profootballhof.com/tickets/.

The schedule for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week presented by Novartis, a multi-day celebration welcoming the newest Hall of Fame class to Canton, includes:

• 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

Hall of Fame Game results for participating teams

ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-3-1)

• 1962 – vs. New York Giants (T, 21-21)
• 1974 – vs. Buffalo Bills (W, 21-13)
• 1986 – vs. New England Patriots (L, 21-16)
• 2012 – vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 17-10)
• 2017 – vs. Dallas Cowboys (L, 20-18)

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-0)

• 1995 – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 20-14)

Enshrinement Week packages

Fans seeking unparalleled access to events surrounding Enshrinement Week presented by Novartis can secure ticket packages from On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL. On Location’s ticket packages unlock exclusive moments such as on field photo opportunities after the Hall of Fame Game, pictures on the Enshrinement stage Saturday and access to a special section to greet returning Hall of Famers as they arrive for the Enshrinement.

Visit https://OnLocationExp.com/PFHOF to explore official ticket packages for Enshrinement Week.