When Is the First NFL Preseason Game
What Time Is The First NFL Preseason Game If You’re Asking When The First NFL Preseason Game Is, Well That Depends On Exactly What You Mean “First.” 2026 NFL Preseason Starts With The Pro Football Hall Of Fame Game Thursday, August 6, 2026 When The Carolina Panthers Match Up Against The Arizona Cardinals In Canton, Ohio.The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.ET On NBC.
However, there is a significant difference.August 13 marked the beginning of the first full week of preseason action, while the NFL officially treats that date separately from the Hall of Fame Game.This distinction can confuse NFL fans.
In this guide, we’ll cover: When was the first NFL preseason game? Who was in it? When did Preseason Week 1 start? How to Watch Preseason Football. How the Preseason Schedule Work, and more!
When Does the First NFL Preseason Game Take Place in 2026?
The first NFL preseason game of 2026 was the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals on August 6, 2026.
| Detail | 2026 Information |
| First preseason game | Pro Football Hall of Fame Game |
| Date | Thursday, August 6, 2026 |
| Matchup | Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals |
| Kickoff | 8 p.m. ET |
| Location | Canton, Ohio |
| Stadium | Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium |
| Television | NBC |
The NFL’s official schedule lists the Hall of Fame Game separately from Preseason Week 1 and identifies Carolina and Arizona as the opening matchup.
So, if someone asks when is the first NFL preseason game in 2026, the short answer is August 6, 2026.
The game also was meaningful for both sides in terms of the upcoming 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Two of the 2026 inductees were Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and Carolina’s Luke Kuechly.
Is the Hall of Fame Game Considered the First NFL Preseason Game?
Yes. Although the Hall of Fame Game is the first preseason matchup, it is not officially counted as part of Preseason Week 1.Why does it matter if I look for the first NFL preseason game? The phrase “When is the first NFL preseason game?” could mean two things – the earliest game of the entire NFL pre-season, or the first pre-season game of the NFL’s usual schedule.
The NFL’s calendar lists:
- August 6: The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
- August 13–15: First Preseason Weekend
- August 20–23: Second Preseason Weekend
- August 27–29: Third Preseason Weekend
This means the Hall of Fame Game took place one week before the first full weekend of preseason action.
First Preseason Game vs. Preseason Week 1
| Question | Answer |
| When is the first NFL preseason game? | August 6, 2026 |
| What is the first game? | Hall of Fame Game |
| Who played? | Panthers vs. Cardinals |
| When did Preseason Week 1 begin? | August 13, 2026 |
| Why the difference? | The Hall of Fame Game is scheduled separately as the preseason opener |
This is one of the key details to keep in mind when looking into the NFL preseason schedule.
Which Teams Played in the First NFL Preseason Game?
2026 Hall of Fame Game: Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals.
The game took place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.The league chose these two teams partly because some players from the 2026 class of inductees have significant ties to the teams.
The Cardinals were the designated home team, while Carolina was back in the Hall of Fame Game for the first time since it was a fledgling franchise.
Fans wondering when the first NFL preseason game is can be thankful that knowing the matchup tells you the exact teams that will start the action in the preseason.
What Time Did the First NFL Preseason Game Start?
The 2026 Hall of Fame Game began at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
For viewers in other major U.S. time zones, that corresponds to:
| Time Zone | Kickoff |
| Eastern | 8 p.m. |
| Central | 7 p.m. |
| Mountain | 6 p.m. |
| Pacific | 5 p.m. |
The NFL scheduled the game to kick off at 8 p.m.ET on NBC.
Kickoff times are not consistent from season to season, so anyone looking at a future season should double-check the schedule of the NFL and not just rely on the last season’s kickoff times.
When Did NFL Preseason Week 1 Start in 2026?
The first full preseason weekend began August 13, 2026.
The opening Thursday included several games, including:
- Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals
- Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans
Therefore, the answer to when the first NFL preseason game is should not be confused with the answer to when NFL Preseason Week 1 begins.When was the first preseason game? 6 August The first full weekend of preseason games came 13 August.
2026 NFL Preseason Schedule at a Glance
The 2026 preseason followed a four-stage calendar when the Hall of Fame Game is included.
| Preseason Stage | 2026 Dates | Description |
| Hall of Fame Game | August 6 | Preseason opener |
| Preseason Week 1 | August 13–16 | First full preseason slate |
| Preseason Week 2 | August 20–23 | Second full preseason slate |
| Preseason Week 3 | August 27–30 | Final preseason games |
The NFL officially treats the Hall of Fame Game separately from the three regular preseason weekends.Individual game dates are within those windows, but they can vary from that window, so those interested in a specific team schedule should consult that team’s schedule, which is on the NFL schedule.
How Many Preseason Games Does Each NFL Team Play?
Most NFL teams play three preseason games.
There is also an important consideration for teams that participate in the Hall of Fame Game.In 2026, the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers each had an extra preseason game as they played in the Hall of Fame Game on August 6.
That equates to those two teams playing four preseason games in 2026, while all other teams played just three.
This is why the Hall of Fame Game is “more than just a single exhibition.” Participation in the game gives the participating teams an extra preseason game.
Why Is the Hall of Fame Game Played Before Preseason Week 1?
The Hall of Fame Game coincides with the yearly Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities in Canton, Ohio.
More so than the 2026 game has been, the 2026 game closely tied to the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Four players in the 2026 Class were enshrined, with two former Cardinals and Panthers representing the teams respectively (Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly).
Thus the game functions in two ways: it kicks off the preseason and it acts as a precurser to the Hall of Fame inductions.
The most common way most casual fans remember the schedule is:
Hall of Fame Game → Preseason Week 1 → Preseason Week 2 → Preseason Week 3 → Regular Season
When Is the First NFL Preseason Game on TV?
The first NFL preseason game of the 2026 season was televised nationally on NBC.
The NFL scheduled the Panthers-Cardinals Hall of Fame Game for 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Airdates from the NFL indicated the game would be available to watch on both Peacock and NFL+.
Since TV and streaming deals may differ year to year, fans wondering when is the first NFL preseason game on TV should refer to the official game listing for that year.
NFL’s PRESEASON VIEWING GUIDELINES NFL+ may also include access to preseason NFL games, depending on local restrictions and the broadcast status of the specific game.
What Is the NFL Preseason?
The NFL preseason is the football season’s exhibition games that take place prior to the regular season.
Preseason games allow teams to make final cut decisions after assessing players in the games, and also to give experience to the younger players and get them ready to compete in the NFL.
The preseason is different from the regular season in several important ways.
| Preseason | Regular Season |
| Exhibition games | Official league games |
| Does not determine regular-season standings | Counts toward standings |
| Player evaluation is a major focus | Competitive results have official consequences |
| Starter playing time can be limited | Teams generally use their competitive game plans |
| Coaches can test combinations | Game plans are built around winning official games |
This difference is important for anyone watching the first NFL preseason game for the first time.
What Should Fans Expect From the First Preseason Game?
The first preseason game might be a bit different than a regularseason game.
Playing time for more experienced starters may be reduced by coaches, while more time may be given to younger players, backups, rookies and players seeking a roster spot.
Essentially the NFL’s Preseason Watch List: Player evaluations and rosters, mind you, are two other reasons to catch at least a few live games.
For example, a quarterback who gets a limited number of plays in a preseason game may not be getting shortened playing time. A coach might have a different plan of how to evaluate that game.
Similarly, the outcome of a team’s good or bad preseason is not indicative of how the regular season will unfold.
Preseason Football is best thought of as a mixture of competition, training, and evaluation.
Does the First NFL Preseason Game Count?
No, the first NFL preseason game does not factor in the regular-season standings.
The preseason is held prior to the regular-season schedule, so its results do not count on teams’ record.
That’s not to say the games are pointless. Teams are able to use the preseason to audition players as well as prepare for the actual season.
This can really come in handy for those newer to NFL betting. A preseason loss or win is not the same as a regular season loss or win.
What Happens After the First NFL Preseason Game?
Preseason continues for three more weekends after the Hall of Fame Game.
Teams are still assessing players, more prospect development, as well as preparing for the start of the season.
The NFL’s schedule in 2026 had the three official preseason weekends occurring from August 13-15, August 20-23, and August 27-29.
The third preseason phase is significant for teams since it’s when they start to dwindle their rosters and get prepared to start the regular season.
For someone following the NFL calendar , the easiest sequence is:
August 6: Hall of Fame Game
August 13 onward: Preseason Week 1
August 20 onward: Preseason Week 2
August 27 onward: Preseason Week 3
September: Regular-season football
Common Mistakes When Looking Up the NFL Preseason Schedule
A popular mistake in NFL betting. Incorrectly grouping the Hall of Fame Game and Preseason Week 1 together.
They are the same, but the NFL has them scheduled separately.
A further mistake can be to find out an previous preseason schedule. The scheduling of the NFL, the time of the kickoffs, the TV schedule and much more can all differ from year to year so an old schedule isn’t automatically the schedule for the current season.
You should also examine the gap between a league’s preseason schedule and a single team’s schedule. The nation’s preseason can start one day and you can see a team that will arrive on a later date.
Lastly, televised access varies by game and market. NFL’s official website states, “Availability of preseason televised coverage will vary between local and out-of-market games.”
How to Verify the First NFL Preseason Game
If you are actually researching for an Upcoming NFL Season rather than 2026, at that point utilize this fast as well as very easy method:
First, look up the NFL preseason schedule for the Hall of Fame Game. Then confirm the matchup, date, kickoff time, and network.
Then, separately, look up the NFL’s Preseason Week 1 schedule. It is easy to confuse the date of the first full preseason weekend with the Hall of Fame Game, so do not do that.
Last, verify TV or streaming info a few days before the game because this info can change.
This is more accurate than copying dates from a previous article or Facebook post.
For the complete list of matchups and game details, check the official 2026 NFL preseason Week 1 schedule
Frequently Asked Questions
1.When is the first NFL preseason game in 2026?
The first NFL preseason game of 2026 was the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 6, 2026, featuring the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals in Canton, Ohio.
2.Is the Hall of Fame Game the first NFL preseason game?
Yes. The Hall of Fame Game is scheduled as the preseason opener. It takes place separately before the first full Preseason Week 1 weekend.
3.When did NFL Preseason Week 1 start in 2026?
Preseason Week 1 began on August 13, 2026. The NFL’s official calendar identifies August 13–15 as the first preseason weekend, while individual schedules can include games on August 16.
4.Who played in the first NFL preseason game of 2026?
The Carolina Panthers played the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
5.When is the first NFL preseason game on TV?
The 2026 preseason opener was scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on NBC. NFL information also listed Peacock and NFL+ among viewing options for the game.
6.How many preseason games does each NFL team play?
Most NFL teams play three preseason games. In 2026, the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers played four because they participated in the Hall of Fame Game.
7.Do NFL preseason games count toward the regular-season record?
No. Preseason games are exhibition contests and do not count toward a team’s official regular-season standings.
Conclusion
Now if you’re wondering when is the first NFL preseason game, in 2026 it was August 6, 2026 and the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals played in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton.
The main difference, of course, is the NFL’s preseason Week 1 started up August 13. That one fact alone will help clarify the NFL schedule when you see the preseason opening game against the first full weekend of NFL football.
For additional contests in future seasons, be sure to check the NFL schedule for the actual day, kickoff time, matchup and television since all those details are season-specific and not the same every year.
