NFL Preseason Kicks Off with Hall of Fame Game on NBC and Peacock

The 2026 NFL preseason begins Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, as the Arizona Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers in the annual Hall of Fame Game. The contest, scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT, marks the first on-field action of the new football season and will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Fans also have the option to stream the matchup via Peacock and NFL+.

From a roster management perspective, both teams are approaching the game with caution. Panthers head coach Dave Canales confirmed that his starters will not see the field in the opener. Similarly, Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur indicated the majority of his veteran starters, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett, will be held out. This strategy is typical for the Hall of Fame Game, as organizations prioritize player health over results in the opening exhibition.

With the veterans sidelined, the focus shifts to depth players and rookies. The Cardinals will hand the reins to quarterback Carson Beck, a third-round selection out of Miami. The Panthers will counter with Kenny Pickett under center while starter Bryce Young rests. Running backs James Conner and Chuba Hubbard are also expected to sit, providing opportunities for backups to stake their claims for roster spots.

The broadcast of the game is a key component of the summer sports calendar for Comcast Corporation. Through its NBCUniversal subsidiary, the company leverages exclusive NFL rights to drive viewership across its linear network and Peacock streaming platform. As of the previous market close, Comcast was trading at $24.94, reflecting a slight increase of 0.32%.

Following this matchup, the Panthers are scheduled to visit the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 15, while the Cardinals will travel to take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 13. The remaining 30 NFL teams are set to begin their preseason schedules next week.

What to watch

• Peacock Subscriber Growth: Future earnings reports may detail streaming additions driven by live sports exclusives.
• NBC Ratings: Viewership data for the Hall of Fame game could serve as an early indicator of interest for the upcoming NFL season.

Source: original release