Carolina Panthers
· 2026-07-13
The Carolina Panthers will open their 2026 preseason against the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The Panthers enter the game sitting 4th in the National Football Conference with an 8-9 record, riding a two-game losing streak. Their next regular-season test comes September 13 against the Chicago Bears.
The Hall of Fame Game is the NFL's annual preseason opener, played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. It kicks off the league's exhibition schedule and coincides with the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction weekend.
This year's game features the Panthers and Cardinals. For Carolina, it's a chance to get rookies and new faces on the field in a live game setting before the real action starts.
The exact date and time haven't been locked in yet, but the game typically falls in early August. Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium seats about 23,000 fans. It's a smaller venue than the Panthers' usual home at Bank of America Stadium, so tickets will be tight.
Tickets go through the NFL's official ticket exchange and secondary markets like Ticketmaster. Prices usually start around $100 and climb fast. Fans should buy early — this game sells out most years.
Panthers fans traveling to Canton should book hotels and flights well ahead. The stadium is about an hour south of Cleveland.
Both teams are in transition. The Panthers finished 8-9 last season, good for 4th in the NFC. They lost their last two games, so the coaching staff will want to see sharp execution early.
Arizona is rebuilding too. Expect both teams to play their starters for a series or two, then turn it over to the backups. For Carolina, the key battles will be at quarterback and along the offensive line.
Preseason games don't count in the standings, but they matter for roster spots. The Panthers have several position battles brewing — especially at wide receiver and in the secondary.
Head coach Dave Canales will use the Hall of Fame Game to evaluate young players. Rookies and free-agent signings need live reps to prove they belong. A strong showing in Canton could lock up a roster spot.
After the Hall of Fame Game, Carolina plays three more preseason games before the regular season kicks off. The real opener is September 13 at home against the Chicago Bears.
The Bears game will be a big early test. Chicago has a young, talented roster. The Panthers need to fix the issues that caused their late-season slide — especially on defense, where they gave up too many big plays down the stretch.
For now, it's about getting healthy, building chemistry, and starting the preseason on the right foot. The Hall of Fame Game is step one.