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Cardinals vs. Panthers live score, updates, highlights from NFL's Hall of Fame Game 2026

Cardinals vs. Panthers live score, updates, highlights from NFL's Hall of Fame Game 2026

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Less than six months after the Seahawks celebrated a championship, football is back.

While it will be another month before the games actually count, the long road to Week 1 in the NFL continues with the first preseason game of the year in its traditional setting: Canton, Ohio.

The Cardinals and Panthers will face off as Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly prepare for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While there might not be any Hall of Famers on the field, fans will get a chance to see Carson Beck put on an NFL uniform for the first time as he starts under center for the Cardinals.

The rookie third-round pick will go head-to-head with former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, who is starting for the Panthers as he tries to earn the backup job with his fifth different team in the last four years.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Cardinals vs. Panthers in the NFL Hall of Fame Game. Follow along with Thursday’s action below.

WATCH: Stream the 2026 Hall of Fame Game live on fubo (free trial for new users)

Cardinals vs. Panthers score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 F
Cardinals 0 17      
Panthers 0 17      

NFL Hall of Fame Game live updates, highlights from Cardinals vs. Panthers

9:57 p.m. – On 2nd down, Anthony Tyus has the ball punched out by Arizona’s Quinton Newsome. The Cardinals recover the football on the Panthers’ side of the gridiron.

Kedon Slovis is now in as the Cardinals’ quarterback. Beck ends his day 15/19 for 188 passing yards and a touchdown.

9:53 p.m. – Beck hoisted another deep ball down the left sideline and found Reggie Virgil briefly before a huge hit shook the ball loose and incomplete.

Turnover on downs for Arizona, and the Panthers start with possession from their own 41-yard line.

9:46 p.m. – Carolina boots it off to the receiving Cardinals, who begin the second half with possession. Beck is staying in as Arizona’s quarterback for now.

Will the second half continue the offensive fireworks seen in the first half hour of football?

Halftime: Panthers 17-17 Cardinals

9:32 p.m. – With the first two quarters in the books in Canton, the teams head back into their locker rooms all knotted at 17 apiece.

Here is the statistical breakdown for the first half:

Panthers   Cardinals
189 Total yards 227
151 Pass yards 146
38 Rush yards 81
Haynes King (94 PYds, 11/17, 1 TD) Leading passer Carson Beck (148 PYds, 11/14, 1 TD)
A.J. Dillon (18 RuYds, 3 CAR, 1 TD) Leading rusher Bam Knight (56 RuYds, 11 CAR)
John Metchie III (38 ReYds, 3 REC) Leading receiver Jalen Brooks (99 ReYds, 3 REC)

Panthers 17-17 Cardinals 

9:30 p.m. – The Panthers continue to follow suit in matching whatever Arizona puts in the points column. Ryan Fitzgerald converts on a 33-yard attempt to tie the game just before halftime.

Cardinals 17-14 Panthers

9:20 p.m. – After a 10-play, 51-yard drive, Chad Ryland boots a field goal in from 35 yards out to give Arizona the lead back with 1:46 to go in the second quarter.

Panthers 14-14 Cardinals

9:05 p.m. – Touchdown Panthers! Undrafted free-agent quarterback Haynes Kings slots a pass right into the hands of Ja’seem Reed, who ran it near the left pylon.

This game has been a surprising shootout during the second quarter.

Cardinals 14-7 Panthers

8:56 p.m. – Touchdown Cardinals! Beck airs one into the back right corner of the endzone to find Simi Fehoko. Another nice possession led by the rookie quarterback.

8:54 p.m. – Carson Beck airs it out 49 yards down the field to find his favorite receiver again tonight in Jalen Brooks.

Will Beck continue to make a case for Arizona’s starting position as the season progresses? The rookie is already 9/11 with 129 passing yards, and Brooks has accumulated three receptions for 99 yards.

Panthers 7-7 Cardinals

8:48 p.m. – Touchdown Panthers! On the ensuing possession, veteran A.J. Dillon puts Carolina on the board after bursting into the endzone for a one-yard rush.

Cardinals 7-0 Panthers

8:39 p.m. – Touchdown Cardinals! A play after he set Arizona up on the one-yard line, Kiner rushes into the endzone for the first NFL touchdown of the new season.

End of first quarter: Cardinals 0-0 Panthers

8:37 p.m. – Beck throws an eight-yard completion to Corey Kiner to set the Cardinals up on the one-yard line.

The former Miami Hurricane is 8/9 for 81 yards in the air with an additional four rushing yards through one quarter.

8:30 p.m. – Carson Beck airs it out to Jalen Brooks down the right sideline for 35 yards and the first down.

Despite the tough field position, Arizona is moving the ball down the gridiron nicely to start this possession.

8:27 p.m. – While a third-down pass interference on the Cardinals kept Pickett and Carolina’s drive going, they are still unable to put the first bundle of points onto the scoreboard.

0-0 with 7:12 to go in the first quarter.

8:16 p.m. – Despite a first down for Arizona, the Cardinals are eventually forced to punt. Punter Blake Gillikin’s effort pinned Carolina inside their own three-yard line when they return from the break.

8:11 p.m. – While Pickett did complete his first two pass attempts, DT Andrew Billings was able to jut through the offensive line for tonight’s first sack.

A four-and-out to start Carolina’s night.

8:10 p.m. – And just like that, football is back! Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland kicked things off in Canton with Carolina receiving the opening possession.

First quarter begins

Pregame

8:01 p.m. – The Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 is currently being introduced and honored at midfield of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Larry Fitzgerald and Luke Kuechly expectedly received the two loudest bursts of applause.

7:50 p.m. – Carolina Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett will be making his first start for the team tonight. For how long remains to be seen, but Pickett will look to solidify his role as Carolina’s backup with his Hall of Fame game showing.

7:37 p.m. – Newest Arizona Cardinal Jeremiyah Love took some time pregame to greet fans as he watches tonight’s action from the sidelines.

7:02 p.m. – While the duo is both inactive for tonight’s bout on the gridiron, Bryce Young and Jacoby Brissett caught up on the sidelines. Brissett even donned a special No. 11 t-shirt to commemorate former Arizona Cardinal Larry Fitzgerald’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

6:52 p.m. – Former Miami Hurricanes and current Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Beck has begun his pregame warmups as he gears up to start tonight’s game.

6:42 p.m. – Many of the Panthers’ players are donning No. 59 jerseys in honor of Luke Kuechly, the former Carolina star who is one of five NFL greats heading into the Hall of Fame tonight.

6:26 p.m. – Players have begun entering Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Here are the scenes from the first NFL pregame fitcheck of the 2026 season:

6:15 p.m. – Fans are already active in Canton as they participate in a pregame pep rally. Mascots, dance routines from team cheerleaders, and live music are all piquing fans’ interest ahead of tonight’s game.

5:45 p.m. – The Hall of Fame game is one of the NFL’s oldest traditions; it even predates the Super Bowl!

The inaugural Hall of Fame game took place on August 11, 1962, as part of a fundraising campaign for the construction of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Since then, it has been present in Canton for virtually every edition, and has kicked off NFL preseason action since 1970.

5:30 p.m. – Tonight, five notable names across the NFL will round out the Hall of Fame’s class of 2026, including a player who formerly played for both Arizona and Carolina:

  • Drew Brees
  • Larry Fitzgerald
  • Luke Kuechly
  • Adam Vinatieri
  • Roger Craig

5:15 p.m. – At long last, we are just hours away from NFL football returning on the big screen. Tonight’s Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, will feature Carson Beck and the Arizona Cardinals against Kenny Pickett and the Carolina Panthers.

Where to watch 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game

Cardinals vs. Panthers start time today

  • Date: Thursday, Aug. 6
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET

The NFL preseason once again kicks off with the Hall of Fame Game from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, with the Cardinals and Panthers kicking off at 8 p.m. ET.

What channel is NFL Hall of Fame Game on?

NBC will broadcast the Hall of Fame Game between the Cardinals and Panthers nationally. Fans can also stream the game live on Peacock.

NFL preseason schedule 2026: Week 1

Here’s the full schedule for the Hall of Fame and NFL preseason Week 1:

Date Game Time (ET)
Thu., Aug. 6 Cardinals vs. Panthers 8 p.m.
Thu., Aug. 13 Bengals vs. Lions 7 p.m.
  Steelers vs. Packers 7 p.m.
  Patriots vs. Colts 7:30 p.m.
  Raiders vs. Cardinals 8 p.m.
  Texans vs. Chargers 8 p.m.
  49ers vs. Titans 9 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 14 Falcons vs. Broncos 7 p.m.
  Jets vs. Buccaneers 7 p.m.
  Commanders vs. Dolphins 7 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 15 Bills vs. Panthers 1 p.m.
  Bears vs. Browns 1 p.m.
  Giants vs. Vikings 1 p.m.
  Chiefs vs. Rams 4 p.m.
  Saints vs. Jaguars 4 p.m.
  Ravens vs. Eagles 7 p.m.
  Seahawks vs. Cowboys 8 p.m.

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