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SportsMoney How To Watch 2026 NFL Hall Of Fame Game By John Cassillo ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. L.A.-based lead analyst at The Measure, covering the data behind sports media topics. Follow Author Aug 06, 2026, 12:59pm EDT Aug 06, 2026, 01:35pm EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . The 2026 NFL preseason schedule begins on Thursday night, with the annual Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio.
This year’s matchup pits the Arizona Cardinals against the Carolina Panthers. Carolina is coming off a surprising NFC South title despite an 8-9 record, and a tight loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January’s wildcard round. Arizona, meanwhile, tied for the league’s worst record at 3-14.
Before the two teams take the field at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, here’s how – and when – to watch the primetime preseason matchup.
Though starters will likely play sparingly for both teams during the NFL Hall of Fame Game, the game is still the first glimpse of the reworked rosters for 2026.
After getting back on track last season, Bryce Young returns at quarterback for Carolina, and will be backed up by the experienced Kenny Pickett. But the Panthers will spend some time in preseason seeing what they have in rookie Haynes King (Georgia Tech) as their third-stringer.
Additionally, Carolina will be reshaping the run game after offensive line departures and the exit of last year’s leading rusher, Rico Dowdle (signed with Pittsburgh in free agency). On defense, Devin Lloyd and Jaelin Phillips join an already capable unit. The Panthers also drafted a number of defensive rookies, led by second-rounder Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), who will get snaps in preseason.
On the Arizona side, the Cardinals plan to go into the season with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, following the conclusion of his holdout . The veteran threw a career-high 23 touchdowns in 14 games last season, and will be backed up by fellow vet Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck (Miami) this season.
More eyeballs will be on the running back position, though, after the Cardinals drafted Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame) at No. 3. The rookie is part of a crowded backfield that also includes James Conner, Trey Benson and free agent signing Tyler Allgeier. Preseason could sort out some of that muddiness and lead to one of those backs departing.
Thursday’s game will also be the first look at the Cardinals under new coach Mike LaFleur . The former Rams offensive coordinator (2023-25) is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, and is taking on his first head coaching position with Arizona.
While in L.A., LaFleur’s Rams offenses were in the top half of the league by yards-per-game all three seasons. He also presided over Matthew Stafford’s MVP campaign in 2025, and the emergence of players like Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua within Los Angeles’ system.
The Cardinals played in the first NFL Hall Of Fame Game in 1962 (a 21-21 tie with the New York Giants). Thursday’s matchup will give Arizona six appearances in event, tied for third behind the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers with seven apiece.
Over the previous five appearances, the Cardinals have gone 1-3-1, with the lone win coming against the Buffalo Bills in 1974. Arizona last appeared in the Hall of Fame Game in 2017; a 20-18 loss to the Cowboys.
For the Panthers, it’s the team’s first appearance in Canton since 1995. That was the first-ever game for both Carolina and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Panthers won 20-14.
Carolina’s Hall of Fame Game appearance this year also ends what was the longest active stretch without playing in the event. The Seattle Seahawks now own that mark, having not played in Canton since 1997’s preseason.
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