1 of 5 | The Arizona Cardinals will face the Carolina Panthers in the NFL Hall of Fame Game, the first preseason matchup of 2026, at 8 p.m. EDT Thursday in Canton, Ohio. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo
Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will launch the 2026 NFL preseason with a Hall of Fame Game matchup Thursday in Canton, Ohio.
Fans can tune in at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC. The meeting also will stream on Peacock and NFL+. The Panthers are 1.5-point favorites, but the game could feature an unpredictable script as starters will be held out.
Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters Tuesday that his starters would not play in the preseason opener. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said earlier this week that most starters will not play, likely including Jacoby Brissett.
The Cardinals will starter former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck, a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, in his absence. Kedon Slovis and Gardner Minshew are the other quarterbacks on the Cardinals roster.
