The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game kicks off the NFL season, serving as the highly anticipated opener to the preseason. In 2025, this classic fixture sees the Detroit Lions take on the Los Angeles Chargers. Football enthusiasts worldwide are eager to mark their calendars as the first taste of NFL action since the Super Bowl approaches.
Hall of Fame Game 2025: The Contention
The Detroit Lions will play the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game. It will be the Lions’ fourth trip to the Hall of Fame Game, with their previous one having occurred in 1991. For the Chargers, it will be their third visit to Canton, with their most recent visit coming in 1994. Both of these teams come into the season with a lot of hype, having appeared in the playoffs during the last season. The game coincides with the Hall of Fame induction of Chargers legend Antonio Gates, plus Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe.
Date and Kick-off Time
The 2025 Hall of Fame Game will take place on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The kick-off is at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT). The game will be played at the legendary Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, which sits right next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The event is a focal point of the larger Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week, July 30-Aug. 2, with the Enshrinement Ceremony on Sat., Aug. 2.
How to Watch: TV and Streaming
Fans have several options to catch the first NFL game of the year:
1. Television Coverage: The game will be broadcast live on NBC.
2. Live Streaming: For those looking to stream, the game will be simulcast on Peacock. Other streaming services that carry NBC, such as Fubo, Sling, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV, will also provide access. NFL+ subscribers can also stream the game live.
3. Local Coverage: Local TV coverage will be provided for Detroit Lions fans through the Lions TV Network. Local radio coverage can also be accessed by Los Angeles Chargers fans on KFI AM-640 (English) and Que Buena FM 105.5/94.3 (Spanish).
4. International Audience: UK audiences will be able to watch the game live on Sky Sports NFL, with action commencing at 1:00 AM BST on August 1, 2025. NFL Game Pass on DAZN will also transmit the entire preseason schedule, including this match, for international subscribers.
NBC’s broadcast features Mike Tirico on play-by-play, Cris Collinsworth as analyst, and Melissa Stark as the sideline reporter. Terry McAulay will offer rules analysis.
What to Expect: Rosters and Key Players to Watch
Veteran starters like Jared Goff and Justin Herbert typically see little to no action in preseason openers like the Hall of Fame Game. The game offers a key opportunity for rookies, undrafted players, and depth-chart hopefuls to prove themselves and earn roster spots.
For the Chargers, former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance will start at quarterback and make his first appearance for Los Angeles. This represents a prime opportunity for him to impress new head coach Jim Harbaugh. First-round rookie running back Omarion Hampton will also see significant action in the Chargers’ backfield.
On the Lions’ side of things, quarterback competition for the second-string role behind Jared Goff will be a point of emphasis, with Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen taking a lot of snaps. This seems like a great chance for Hooker, a third-round selection in 2023, to show how far he has come.
The Lions will debut two new coordinators: offensive coordinator John Morton and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Their early strategic approaches, although likely to be vanilla, will be watched closely as they take the reins of units that performed exceptionally well last season. This additional preseason game is an extra opportunity for both teams to evaluate talent and build chemistry.
Ticket Information
For the fans who will be attending the game live, tickets can be accessed from several websites. Tickets begin from as cheap as $75 for seats in the higher sections, while lower-bowl seats begin from $87. Even more premium seats like the 40-yard line seats can fetch much higher costs, up to $776. VIP packages include game tickets, enshrinement ceremony access, and exclusive experiences, available through official partners like On Location Experiences.
The Larger Enshrinement Week Experience
The Hall of Fame Game is only one of the features of the greater Enshrinement Week celebrations in Canton. Aside from the game, visitors have the opportunity to experience:
1. Pro Football Hall of Fame Museum: Extended hours are effective during Enshrinement Week to give fans enough time to explore the rich history of professional football.
2. Enshrinement Ceremony: The official induction of the Class of 2025 (Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe) will occur on Saturday, August 2.
3. Fan Fest ’25: An all-day tailgate party on the Pro Football Hall of Fame campus featuring live music, food, beverages, and a variety of football-themed activities.
4. Autograph Sessions: Chances to meet and have autographs signed by returning Hall of Fame legends.
5. Balloon Classic and Drone Light Show: More events scheduled as part of the larger Enshrinement Festival.
The 2025 Hall of Fame Game unofficially kicks off the NFL season, showcasing new talent and teams’ tactical adjustments. No matter where you are, watching at home or feeling it live in Canton, it’s one not to miss for any football fan.
