The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will open the 2026 NFL preseason in the annual Hall of Fame exhibition game on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. The matchup was announced as part of enshrinement week festivities, with both teams having former stars among the five-person Hall of Fame class being inducted on Aug. 8.

Longtime Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly headline the 2026 class alongside Drew Brees, Roger Craig, and Adam Vinatieri. The game marks a homecoming of sorts for Fitzgerald and Kuechly, who will be formally inducted just two days later. Arizona will serve as the home team under new coach Mike LaFleur.

The Cardinals make their sixth Hall of Fame game appearance, having played in the inaugural 1962 contest against the New York Giants. The Panthers return after their 1995 debut as an expansion franchise against fellow expansion team Jacksonville. NBC will broadcast the game.