It’s official, the first NFL game of the season has been scheduled, and it will be the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. A weekend where we see all-time greats having their legacies enshrined in the Hall of Fame, fans see their childhood favorites, and the Cardinals get to look forward to something else that is just as exciting.
Yes, the Arizona Cardinals were one of the two teams selected to play in the inaugural game of the 2026 season. A complete exhibition game to kickoff preseason, Arizona will play the Carolina Panthers in the Hall of Fame game. Two teams, two completely different trajectories.
The Cardinals are coming off a last-place finish in the NFC West, and while that is bad, it’s not even the worst part of their season. The division they play in is difficult as it is, with the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks all finishing with 12+ wins, but Arizona finished with only three, which is beyond awful.
The Cardinals also officially said goodbye to their long-time quarterback, Kyler Murray, releasing the 28-year-old.
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Carolina, on the other hand, finished at 8–9, which may seem mediocre, but it was enough to win the NFC South and clinch a playoff spot. A season where third-year quarterback Bryce Young took great strides in his development.
This will count as a fourth preseason game for both teams, and we do not know who the opponents of the additional three games.
An extra preseason game will be big for first-time head coach Mike LaFleur, as he will get an extra game to evaluate the talent he has on his roster.
The game will be on August 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.