NFL Hall of Fame 2026: Inductees List, Date & How to Watch
The NFL Hall of Fame 2026 class will be enshrined on Saturday, August 8, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Five legends receive their gold jackets this year: Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig. The ceremony starts at 12:00 PM ET and airs live on NFL Network and ESPN.
Here is the full inductees list, the ceremony details, and how you can watch.
Who is in the NFL Hall of Fame 2026 Class?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 was revealed at NFL Honors during Super Bowl week. Five players made the cut:
| Player | Position | Teams | Career Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Brees | Quarterback | Chargers, Saints (2001–2020) | Super Bowl XLIV MVP; retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and completions |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Wide Receiver | Cardinals (2004–2020) | Second all-time in receptions and receiving yards; 11 Pro Bowls |
| Luke Kuechly | Linebacker | Panthers (2012–2019) | 2013 Defensive Player of the Year; 7 Pro Bowls, 5 First-Team All-Pro selections |
| Adam Vinatieri | Kicker | Patriots, Colts (1996–2019) | NFL’s all-time leading scorer; 4 Super Bowl titles and two Super Bowl-winning kicks |
| Roger Craig | Running Back | 49ers, Raiders, Vikings (1983–1993) | 3 Super Bowl titles; first player with 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in one season |
Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald both earned first-ballot selections, elected in their first year of eligibility. Brees rewrote the passing record book over 20 seasons and delivered New Orleans its only Super Bowl title. Fitzgerald spent all 17 of his seasons in Arizona as one of the most productive receivers in league history.
Luke Kuechly packed a Hall of Fame resume into just eight seasons. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back years before retiring at 28.
Adam Vinatieri, the most clutch kicker the game has seen, won Super Bowls XXXVI and XXXVIII with his leg.
Roger Craig enters through the seniors pathway, more than three decades after he became the first player ever to rush and receive for 1,000 yards each in a single season.
When is the NFL Hall of Fame 2026 Ceremony?
The Enshrinement Ceremony is set for Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET (11:00 AM CT / 9:00 AM PT) at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Stadium gates open at 11:30 AM ET.
Each inductee will unveil his bronze bust and deliver an enshrinement speech, the emotional highlight of the NFL offseason.
Which TV Channel Will Broadcast the Ceremony?
The ceremony airs live on NFL Network and ESPN starting at noon ET. You can stream it with NFL+, which starts at $6.99 per month and carries NFL Network live, or the ESPN App with a TV provider login. Live TV services like Fubo, Sling, and DirecTV Stream also carry both networks, and most offer free trials.
For start times in every time zone and the complete streaming breakdown, see our NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement 2026: Date, Start Time & Live Stream guide.
Who Plays in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?
Enshrinement Week opens with the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, August 6, at 8:00 PM ET, when the Carolina Panthers face the Arizona Cardinals in Canton. The matchup honors the new class: Fitzgerald starred for the Cardinals and Kuechly for the Panthers. The NFL’s traditional preseason opener airs on NBC and Peacock.
Want the rest of the preseason slate? Check our NFL Preseason Week 1 schedule guide.
What is the Enshrinement Week 2026 Schedule?
| Date | Event | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 5–9 | Fan Fest (free) | All day | — |
| Thursday, Aug 6 | Hall of Fame Game: Panthers vs. Cardinals | 8:00 PM | NBC, Peacock |
| Friday, Aug 7 | Gold Jacket Dinner | 7:00 PM | — |
| Saturday, Aug 8 | Enshrinement Ceremony | 12:00 PM | NFL Network, ESPN |
| Sunday, Aug 9 | Concert for Legends feat. Lainey Wilson | 7:30 PM | — |
A record number of returning Hall of Famers are expected in Canton this year, with autograph sessions and the Hall of Famer Walk running throughout the week. Full event details are on the official Enshrinement Week page.
NFL Hall of Fame 2026 FAQ
How are players selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
A selection committee of about 50 media members votes each year during Super Bowl week. Modern-era candidates are trimmed from 128 nominees to 52, then 25 semifinalists, 15 finalists, and a final class. Each inductee needs at least 80% approval.
What is a first-ballot Hall of Famer?
A player elected in his first year of eligibility, five seasons after retirement. Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald both achieved it in 2026, an honor reserved for the game’s undisputed greats.
How many members are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
With the Class of 2026 enshrined, the Hall of Fame has 387 members.
Is Bill Belichick in the Hall of Fame?
No. The eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach was not part of the Class of 2026 and remains a candidate through the coach/contributor category in future years.
Why is the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio?
The NFL was founded in Canton in 1920 (as the American Professional Football Association), so the city was chosen as the Hall’s home when it opened in 1963.
Can you visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame museum?
Yes. The museum in Canton is open year-round and displays every inductee’s bronze bust, plus exhibits and NFL artifacts. Tickets are available on the Hall’s official website.
How much are tickets to the 2026 enshrinement?
Tickets for the ceremony, the Hall of Fame Game, and the Concert for Legends are sold through the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s official site, with VIP packages available through On Location.
The NFL Hall of Fame 2026 class is one of the strongest in recent memory: two first-ballot icons, a defensive superstar, the greatest clutch kicker ever, and a long-overdue 49ers legend. Mark Saturday, August 8 at noon ET, and tune in on NFL Network or ESPN to watch all five take their place in Canton.
