The 2026 NFL preseason begins with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, featuring the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals. Multiple outlets report that the game is played this Thursday and is the first regular-season-adjacent event on the NFL calendar. The articles focus on how fans can follow the matchup, including kickoff time, TV broadcast information, and streaming options. One source also frames the Hall of Fame Game as an early indicator that the regular season is approaching, positioning it as the league’s preseason opener. In addition to the game-specific viewing details, some reports mention that coverage includes broader preseason scheduling information, intended to help viewers track upcoming dates beyond the opener. Across the reports, the core agreed-upon details are the participating teams—Panthers and Cardinals—and the game’s role as the start of the 2026 preseason, along with practical instructions for where and when to watch.