2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game: Who's playing, live updates, more as Panthers and Cardinals face off in preseason opener

The NFL is finally back!

Thursday's Hall of Fame Game not only honors those being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, but also gives fans their first taste of game action since the Super Bowl.

Each year, teams are chosen for this game based on who is being inducted into the Hall of Fame that year. With Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly being inducted this weekend, the Cardinals and Panthers were selected for the game.

Playing in the Hall of Fame Game also gives the teams more time to evaluate their players. Whereas the other 30 teams in the NFL will play three preseason games, the Cardinals and Panthers will play four.

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Starters are not expected to take the field, but that doesn't mean there aren't storylines to watch. Arizona, for example, will be starting third-round rookie quarterback Carson Beck under center.

Carolina will start Kenny Pickett at quarterback, but undrafted rookie Haynes King is expected to get a chance to prove himself in his NFL debut.

Where to watch the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game

Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, OH
TV channel/live stream: NBC, Peacock

Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest news and highlights as the Cardinals and Panthers face off in the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game.