Arizona Cardinals Visit Canton, Ohio

The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers are set to face off in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, marking the preseason opener for the NFL’s 107th season.

The game will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

This matchup features two teams with strong ties to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, as Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina’s Luke Kuechly are among the five enshrinees being honored that year, alongside Drew Brees, Roger Craig and Adam Vinatieri.

Both players spent their entire careers with the teams that drafted them and will be recognized during pregame activities two days before their official enshrinement ceremony on Saturday, August 8, inside the Hall of Fame Stadium.

The Cardinals have been designated as the home team for the game and will be led by first-year head coach Mike LaFleur, who is making his preseason debut in Canton.

Arizona’s roster includes tight end Trey McBride, who set an NFL single-season record for receptions by a tight end in 2025 with 126 catches, and safety Budda Baker, who earned his eighth Pro Bowl selection last season.

Carolina is appearing in the Hall of Fame Game for the first time since the franchise’s inception in 1995, having previously played the Jacksonville Jaguars in Canton during their inaugural season.

The Panthers are led by 2025 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan, who helped the team win a division title the previous season.

This will be the Cardinals’ sixth appearance in the Hall of Fame Game, where they hold a 1-3-1 record in prior matchups.

Tickets for the game went on sale March 9, 2026, following the official announcement by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on March 4.

The Hall of Fame Game traditionally kicks off the NFL preseason and is part of a week-long celebration that includes the Gold Jacket Ceremony and Dinner on Friday, August 7, the Grand Parade, and the enshrinement ceremony on Saturday, August 8.

Fans attending Larry Fitzgerald’s induction weekend can access exclusive experiences through Cardinals Premier Travel, which offers round-trip travel on the team’s Boeing 777 aircraft, premium accommodations, and special access to events including the Hall of Fame tour and post-enshrinement reception.