When is the NFL Hall of Fame Game in 2025? Preseason exhibition game date, time
The NFL Hall of Fame Game will kick off preseason action again in 2025, featuring two teams that haven't played in the annual exhibition matchup for over 30 years.
The Los Angeles Chargers will take on the Detroit Lions in Canton, Ohio in late July. The interconference exhibition will begin the Pro Football Hall of Fame's week of festivities leading up to the enshrinement of its four-person class of 2025 – one that includes former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates.
The game also represents the first in-game action of the 2025 league year, with the rest of the preseason slate beginning in early August.
Here's what to know about this year's Hall of Fame Game:
When is the Hall of Fame Game this year?
- Date: Thursday, July 31
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
This year's Hall of Fame game will kick off the Pro Football Hall of Fame's "Enshrinement Week" festivities on the final day of July. NBC will air the game on local affiliates and make it available to stream on Peacock.
Who is playing in the Hall of Fame Game?
- Matchup: Detroit Lions vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Two teams with Michigan football connections (Detroit star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Los Angeles head coach Jim Harbaugh) are headed to Canton, Ohio – a two-hour drive from Ohio State's campus – for this year's Hall of Fame game. Neither team has played in the annual Hall of Fame exhibition game since 1994, according to the Hall of Fame's website.
Two days after the game, Chargers icon and former tight end Antonio Gates will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2025 alongside Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe.
When does the NFL regular season start?
- Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 4 - Monday, Sept. 8
The NFL regular season begins when the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles kick off on Thursday, Sept. 4.
Week 1 continues with the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers clashing in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Friday, Sept. 5. The remainder of the opening week's slate continues Sunday and ends Monday.