On what date did the 2026 NFL preseason begin?

The 2026 NFL preseason began on August 6, 2026, with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

The opening contest was played between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals in Canton, Ohio. Although the NFL's main three-week preseason schedule began the following week, the Hall of Fame Game traditionally serves as the league's exhibition opener and is scheduled separately.

The first full preseason week started on August 13. That distinction is useful because schedules often label the Canton contest as a standalone Hall of Fame event rather than “Preseason Week 1.” Both descriptions refer to the same broader exhibition period, but August 6 was the earliest game date.

The 2026 regular season was scheduled to begin on September 9, leaving roughly a month between the preseason opener and competitive league games. The gap allowed teams to evaluate rosters, test young players and prepare for final roster decisions.