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Panthers, Cardinals to kick off 2026 NFL preseason with Hall of Fame Game
The game in Canton, Ohio, will feature the defending NFC South champion Panthers against a Cardinals team in transition led by a new coach.
Published on Mar. 4, 2026
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The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will kick off the 2026 NFL preseason with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The game will feature five new Hall of Fame inductees, including the Panthers' Luke Kuechly and the Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald. While the starters may not play much, the game will showcase the Panthers coming off a playoff season and the Cardinals in transition with a new head coach.
Why it matters
The Hall of Fame Game is a high-profile preseason matchup that kicks off the NFL season and provides an early look at two teams with different trajectories - the Panthers as defending division champions and the Cardinals rebuilding under a new coach.
The details
The Panthers and Cardinals will face off in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio on August 8th. The game will feature five new Hall of Fame inductees, including Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly and Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. While the starters may not play much, the game will showcase the Panthers coming off an 8-9 season in which they ended a seven-year playoff drought, and the Cardinals who are in transition with a new head coach in Mike LaFleur after a disappointing season.
- The Hall of Fame Game will take place on August 8, 2026.
- The Panthers last played in the Hall of Fame Game in 1995.
The players
Luke Kuechly
A former linebacker for the Carolina Panthers who is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Larry Fitzgerald
A former wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals who is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Mike LaFleur
The new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Bryce Young
The Carolina Panthers' starting quarterback, who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2023.
Jacoby Brissett
A quarterback who played for the Cardinals last season and remains an option for them in 2026.
What they’re saying
“Kicking it off in Canton”
— Arizona Cardinals (Twitter)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
The Hall of Fame Game provides an early look at two teams heading in different directions - the Panthers as defending division champions and the Cardinals rebuilding under a new coach. While the starters may not play much, the game will showcase some of the league's new Hall of Famers and give fans an appetizer for the upcoming NFL season.
