The six-month football drought is almost over. While the 2026 NFL regular-season schedule release is just around the corner, the league has officially locked in the first matchup of the year. The road to the Super Bowl (and your fantasy championship) begins in Canton, Ohio, as two franchises with legendary ties to the Class of 2026 prepare to kick off the preseason.
To help you plan your August weekends, we’ve created a Free, printable 2026 NFL Preseason Schedule (PDF). This low-ink, black-and-white design is perfect for your fridge or office pool, ensuring you never miss a snap from the Hall of Fame Game to the final roster cuts.
2026 Hall of Fame Game: Panthers vs. Cardinals
The NFL has confirmed that the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers will square off in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game. It’s a fitting matchup: legendary Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald and Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly are both set for enshrinement that same weekend.
| Date | Matchup | Venue | Kickoff Time (ET) | TV/Stream |
| Thursday, Aug. 6 | Carolina vs. Arizona | Tom Benson Stadium (Canton) | 8:00 PM | NBC / Peacock |
Full 2026 NFL Preseason Window
While we are waiting for the May 13 schedule release for specific team dates, here is the projected window for the three-week preseason slate:
- Hall of Fame Weekend: August 6 – 9, 2026
- Preseason Week 1: August 13 – 17, 2026
- Preseason Week 2: August 20 – 24, 2026
- Preseason Week 3: August 27 – 30, 2026
The Path to the NFL Week 1 Schedule
Following the conclusion of the preseason on August 30, teams will have until August 31 to finalize their 53-man rosters. The Seahawks, our reigning Super Bowl champions, will then open the regular season on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Want to visualize the road to the playoffs? Use our Custom NFL Bracket Maker to predict every division winner and see how the postseason might shake out.
Download the 2026 NFL Preseason Printable Schedule (PDF)
We know printing in color can be a luxury your printer doesn’t need. Our “Low-Ink” design uses high-contrast black and white text to save your cartridges while remaining sharp and easy to read.
NFL Resources & Hub
Stay ahead of the competition with our dedicated guides:
- NFL Schedule Hub: Live updates as the 2026 schedule leaks.
- 2026 NFL Draft Tracker: See where stars like No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza landed.
- Printable 2026 NFL Playoff Brackets: It’s never too early to project the path to the Super Bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions (2026 NFL Preseason)
- When is the 2026 NFL schedule release? The NFL is expected to release the full regular and preseason schedule on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
- Who plays in the Hall of Fame Game this year? The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals will meet in Canton on Thursday, Aug. 6.
- How many preseason games are there in 2026? Most teams will play three preseason games, while the Panthers and Cardinals will play four (including the Hall of Fame Game).
- Where can I watch NFL preseason games? National games will air on NBC, FOX, CBS, and ESPN/ABC, while others are available via NFL+ and local affiliates.
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