Larry Fitzgerald is going to Canton in August.
So are the Arizona Cardinals.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that the Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers will play in the 2026 Hall of Fame game on Aug. 6, prior to the induction of the 2026 Class on Aug. 8.
The Cardinals, of course, have Fitzgerald going into the Hall; the Panthers have linebacker Luke Kuechly in the class. The rest of the Hall of Fame class includes quarterback Drew Brees, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and running back Roger Craig.
The Cardinals have appeared in the Hall of Fame game twice since moving to Arizona – in 2012 and in 2017. The latter coincided with the Hall of Fame induction for quarterback Kurt Warner.
The Cardinals have played in six Hall of Fame games in total, including a 21-21 tie with the New York Giants in the first Hall of Fame game in 1962.
It gives the Cardinals a fourth preseason game in head coach Mike LaFleur's first season, and it will mean the team will report to training camp earlier than normal to be ready for the NFL's first game of 2026.
The Cardinals were already offering a Premier Travel trip for the Fitzgerald induction that included tickets to the game, among many perks. Having the "home" team playing only adds to the benefits.
