It All Started With a Fundraiser
Long before it became the official start to the NFL preseason, the Hall of Fame Game had a humble beginning. The very first game was played on August 11, 1962, between the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants. Its purpose wasn't just to play football;
it was held to raise money and commemorate the groundbreaking for the Pro Football Hall of Fame building in Canton, Ohio. That inaugural contest, which ended in a 21-21 tie, proved so popular that it became an annual tradition, forever linking the game to the celebration of football's greatest legends.
The Game Is Part of a Bigger Celebration
The Hall of Fame Game is the opening act for a weekend full of festivities. It is intentionally scheduled to kick off the Enshrinement Week, culminating in the induction ceremony for the newest class of Hall of Famers. Team selections often have a narrative tie-in, frequently featuring teams with a prominent player or coach being enshrined that year. This turns the game into a tribute, where fans can celebrate their team's history while watching the future unfold on the field. The game itself is played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, located right next to the Hall of Fame building.
Some Teams Visit Canton More Than Others
Have you ever felt like you see the same teams in the Hall of Fame Game year after year? You're not wrong. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys hold the record for the most appearances, with each team having played in the game seven times. Other frequent visitors include the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins), who are tied for the most wins with five each. On the flip side, every single one of the 32 current NFL franchises has played in the game at least once, with the Baltimore Ravens being the final team to make their debut in 2018.
It's an Extra Week of Work
Playing in the Hall of Fame Game comes with a unique scheduling quirk. Because the game is held a week before the rest of the preseason schedule begins, the two participating teams report to training camp earlier and play an extra exhibition game—five instead of the usual four. This gives coaches an extended look at rookies and players on the roster bubble, but it also means a longer, more grueling preseason for the veterans. It’s a trade-off that teams accept for the honor of kicking off the NFL season in Canton.
Cancellations Aren't Unheard Of
While it's a cherished tradition, the game isn't immune to cancellation. It has been called off a handful of times for various reasons. There was no game in 1966 due to the AFL-NFL merger discussions. The 2011 edition was a casualty of the NFL lockout, as the labor dispute wasn't resolved in time. Perhaps most bizarrely, the 2016 game between the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts was canceled just before kickoff due to unsafe field conditions caused by the wrong type of paint. More recently, the 2020 game was canceled due to the global pandemic, with the scheduled matchup pushed to the following year.
The Modern Kickoff in Canton
The game continues to be the league's ceremonial opener. The 2026 edition, for example, is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals. This marks the Panthers' second appearance and the Cardinals' sixth. The game kicks off a weekend that will see legends like Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly enshrined, connecting the past and present. While star players rarely see significant playing time, the game remains a beloved signal for fans everywhere: football is officially back.
