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NFL announces Hall of Fame Game matchup between Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Griffin McVeigh | Last updated Mar 4, 2026 2:14 PM ET

The calendar might currently read early March. But the countdown to the 2026 NFL season is already underway. Announcements for international games have come from the league, and now, we know who will kick off the preseason. As usual, Canton, OH, will host the Hall of Fame Game to celebrate the weekend ahead. Wednesday brought the news of which two teams would be participating.

The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will face each other at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Both franchises are seeing legendary players get inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is going in as a Cardinal, as is linebacker Luke Kuechly for the Panthers. To further spotlight them, they will get to watch their teams face off.

“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,” President & CEO of the Hall of Fame Jim Porter said in a statement.

It’s official! The Arizona Cardinals @AZCardinals and Carolina Panthers @panthers will open the 2026 @NFL season in Canton in the Hall of Fame Game presented by @Novartis. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 9, at noon. https://t.co/zEipy04fj5 pic.twitter.com/BoDhLEUZWe
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) March 4, 2026

NBC will have the broadcast, sending the network’s top team out there. Mike Tirico will be the play-by-play announcer, accompanied by color analyst Chris Collinsworth in the booth. Melissa Stark will be down on the sideline as a reporter. Terry McAulay will round out the group as the rules analyst, providing as much insight as you can in a preseason game.

Aug. 6 will be the official date of the game. The typical Thursday night slot, kicking off what will be a special weekend of activities in Canton. After the Cardinals and Panthers play, Fitzgerald and Kuechly — alongside Drew Brees, Roger Craig, and Adam Vinatieri — will have their ceremony on Saturday.

Hall of Fame Game history exists for Cardinals, Panthers

There is some history playing in this game for the two franchises. Arizona will return to Canton for a sixth time, last appearing in 2017. The record is not great, winning just once. There is a tie in there as well, meaning the overall tally sits at 1-3-1. While it might just be a preseason game, you know Arizona wants win No. 2.

Carolina is actually undefeated in the Hall of Fame Game. Back in 1995, the team’s first season in the NFL, saw them participate. A win over the Jacksonville got them going in the right direction. Now, over three decades later, the chance to begin a streak presents itself.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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