CANTON, Ohio — The 2026 NFL preseason officially begins on Thursday, August 6, as the Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers in the annual Hall of Fame Game sports.yahoo.com . The matchup is set for 5:00 p.m. ET at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, serving as the on-field kickoff to a weekend celebrating the sport's greatest legends sports.yahoo.com .

How to Watch and Listen

Fans can watch the game nationally on NBC or stream it via Peacock and NFL+ sports.yahoo.com . The broadcast team features a familiar trio, with Mike Tirico on play-by-play, Cris Collinsworth as the analyst, and Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines sports.yahoo.com .

Under Center: Rookie Quarterbacks Take the Spotlight

With veteran Jacoby Brissett sitting out, the Cardinals will turn to rookie Carson Beck to start under center sports.yahoo.com . The third-round selection is expected to get extensive reps as Arizona evaluates its backup options alongside Gardner Minshew and Kedon Slovis sports.yahoo.com . For the Panthers, former first-overall pick Bryce Young is expected to lead the first-team offense as Carolina looks to build momentum for the upcoming season.

A Weekend of Enshrinement

The Hall of Fame Game serves as a prelude to the Class of 2026 Enshrinement Ceremony, which will take place on August 8 at the same stadium www.profootballhof.com . This year's class features franchise icons Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly, alongside quarterback Drew Brees and running back Roger Craig www.profootballhof.com . Because they were selected for the exhibition, both the Cardinals and Panthers will play four preseason games this year instead of the standard three sports.yahoo.com .

Official Game Information

Further reading: Read the full viewing guide and roster breakdown at Yahoo Sports.