The NFL preseason is around the corner. Here's when it starts in 2026

TL;DR

The NFL preseason for 2026 will kick off on August 6 with the Hall of Fame game featuring the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers. Each of the 32 teams will play at least three exhibition games before the regular season starts on September 9.

Key points

NFL preseason starts on August 6, 2026
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers in Hall of Fame game
Each team plays at least three exhibition games
Regular season opener is on September 9, 2026

Arizona CardinalsCarolina PanthersNew England PatriotsSeattle Seahawks

The 2026 NFL season won't start until the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Sept. 9 in a Super Bowl 60 rematch. However, football fans won't have to wait that long to see their favorite teams take the field.

The NFL preseason will begin on Thursday, Aug. 6 when the Arizona Cardinals face the Carolina Panthers at the league's annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio. An addition 48 games will be played over the following weeks, with each of the league's 32 participating in at least three exhibition contests.

In recent seasons, NFL teams have been less and less willing to give their starters extensive playing time in the preseason. Even so, football fans are always eager to see how their favorite squad's recent draft picks and roster hopefuls perform, especially mid-to-late-round quarterbacks who are looking to prove they can be NFL contributors.

Among the top signal-callers to watch during the 2026 preseason will be first-round quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson, Day 2 signal-callers Carson Beck and Drew Allar and fourth-round pick .