CAROLINA PANTHERS vs ARIZONA CARDINALS IN 2026 HALL OF FAME GAME

Panthers to face Cardinals in Hall of Fame Game





Panthers to face Cardinals in Hall of Fame Game

CHARLOTTE — The Panthers are going to the Hall of Fame.

And not just Luke Kuechly, the whole team.

The Panthers will play the Cardinals in the first preseason game of the year on Thursday, Aug. 6, in Canton, Ohio, kicking off a week of festivities that will include the enshrinement of their legendary linebacker two days later.

It will pair up the teams of a couple of members of this year's class, as Kuechly and Larry Fitzgerald have had many memorable matchups, including the 2015 NFC Championship Game.

This year's class also includes Drew Brees, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and running back Roger Craig.

It's the first time the Panthers have been in the game since 1995, when they played their expansion cousins, the Jaguars.

The Panthers won that first exhibition game in franchise history 20-14, with fullback Bob Christian scoring the first touchdown.

As the first game on the NFL calendar, it serves as a fourth preseason game for the team, and generally gives a lot of rookies and unheralded players a chance to play.

It also moves the start of the offseason program and training camp up a week for the team, offering more time to prepare.

But it also gives the team the chance to see the Hall, where Panthers legends Sam Mills and Julius Peppers reside, awaiting Keuchly's arrival in August.

Fans seeking unparalleled access to events surrounding Enshrinement Week presented by Novartis can secure ticket packages from On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the NFL and the Carolina Panthers. On Location's ticket packages unlock exclusive moments such as on‑field photo opportunities after the Hall of Fame Game, pictures on the Enshrinement stage on Saturday, and access to a special section to greet returning Hall of Famers as they arrive for the Enshrinement Ceremony.