A tradition started more than 60 years ago continues in 2026. You guessed it: The NFL Hall of Fame Game is back.
This year, the storied exhibition game that kicks off the NFL season will be played between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers on Thursday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m. ET. All the action will be available to watch on NBC and Peacock.
Don’t miss a single snap with our watch guide for the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game, complete with channels, a game preview, and much more.
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What channels have the NFL Hall of Fame Game?
Those who want to watch the Hall of Fame Game can do so in two ways: on NBC or on Peacock. Those are the only channels on which the game will air due to the broadcast deal with NBC Sports.
For those that can’t get in front of a television that night for whatever reason, fans can stream the game on their mobile devices with NFL+.
Did you know? Two previous Hall of Fame games ended prematurely due to weather events. One of those ended in a 0–0 tie.
2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game preview
Can the Arizona Cardinals get off to a good start?
The Arizona Cardinals had a difficult season in 2025, winning just three games and finishing last in the NFC West.
The Cardinals have a new head coach in Mike LaFleur. They brought back some important players and signed others in what’s been a busy offseason.
Although the HOF game doesn’t count in the standings and is more a celebration of the game, look for the Falcons to play hard and start the season on a high note.
Kicking it off in Canton pic.twitter.com/CNQCBfYzWp
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) March 4, 2026
Carolina Panthers looking for a winning record in 2026
Although the Panthers won the NFC South last year, they only had an 8–9 overall record. Still, they were only a few points away from advancing out of the Wild Card round.
So going into the preseason, the Panthers definitely want to prove that they have what it takes to improve on their record. They haven’t been above .500 since 2017.
Dave Canales is the team’s coach and in his third season at the helm. One of the most impactful signings the team has made in the offseason is getting linebacker Devin Lloyd.
See you in Canton! pic.twitter.com/ewTbzRthC3
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 4, 2026
What to expect
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is even more of an exhibition than a regular preseason game, so don’t expect to see each team’s best punch or even best potential lineups. It would be surprising if either the Cardinals or Panthers went all-out in this game.
That being said, there’s definitely some bragging rights at stake. The Cardinals franchise has played in the HOF Game five other times, winning once in 1974 — when the team was in St. Louis. The Panthers, meanwhile, won their only HOF Game appearance in 1995.
Those who organize the HOF Game really like the matchup between the Cardinals and Panthers for this event.
"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."
Best TV plans for watching the NFL Hall of Fame Game
For my money, I would want one of two plans to catch the HOF Game on TV: YouTube TV or Peacock. The former will get you access to NBC and other core NFL channels, while the latter is perfect if you just want to stream this game. Read below to learn more about each service.
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.)
YouTube TV gives you access to your local affiliate channels like ABC and NBC. Fortunately, it also lets you watch ESPN, NBA TV, TNT, The Food Network, and many others. So whether you’re a huge NFL fan or not, the service has you covered every day and twice on Sundays.
The only thing that might turn you off about YouTube TV is the monthly cost. But you definitely get a lot of bang for your many bucks.
Peacock ($7.99–$16.99/mo.)
NFL fans can get more than just the HOF Game with Peacock. The service airs every game on Sunday Night Football. So those who maybe can’t watch Monday and Thursday nights have a great alternative for primetime pro football action. Peacock is also much cheaper—albeit less robust overall—than YouTube TV.
Aside from the NFL, Peacock also features many shows that are or have ever been on NBC. So after watching the NFL Hall of Fame Game, you can start that “Parks and Recreation” rewatch, or finally dip your toes into “Scrubs.”
How to watch the NFL Hall of Fame Game for free
Because the game is on NBC, an over-the-air (OTA) antenna would be the best way to watch the Hall of Fame Game for free. It’s a simple setup that plugs into your TV and almost instantly gives you access to local channels carrying news, sports, and other programming in your area.
Unfortunately, Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial at this time for any of its plans. But several live TV streaming services — DIRECTV, Fubo, YouTube TV, and others — do offer free trials of varying lengths.
How to watch the NFL Hall of Fame Game FAQ
Have the Arizona Cardinals ever won a Hall of Fame Game?
The Cardinals have a 1–4 all-time record in Hall of Fame games. The last time they won was July 27, 1974, when they beat the Buffalo Bills, 21–13. The Cardinals were in St. Louis at the time.
Have the Carolina Panthers ever won a Hall of Fame Game?
The Panthers won their first and only Hall of Fame Game on July 29, 1995, when they beat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20–14.
What day is the NFL Hall of Fame Game?
The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is on Thursday, August 6.
Who won the last NFL Hall of Fame Game?
The Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions, 34–7, in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched the teams involved in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, the history of the game itself, and where and when the game will be televised. From there, he made recommendations to serve every fan, regardless of budget.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
