No professional sport ushers in a new season quite like the NFL. After a nearly six-month stretch without football, the Hall of Fame Game amps up the excitement for millions of fans who can't wait any longer.
During the week of festivities, new Hall of Fame inductees are enshrined in Canton, Ohio and two teams will take the field to officially mark the start of NFL football.
While the Hall of Fame game is exhibition action that typically only features starting players early in the game, you won't want to miss the action. Here's how you can be sure to watch.
When is the 2024 Hall of Fame Game?
The 2024 Hall of Fame game will take place on August 1 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This contest will be between the Houston Texans and the Chicago Bears, and will officially mark the start of the 2024 NFL preseason.
How to watch the Hall of Fame Game on cable TV
Watching the Hall of Fame game won't be a problem for fans with cable TV. This game will be aired nationally on both ESPN and ABC. Those with access to either station can watch the game anywhere in the continental United States.
How to stream the Hall of Fame Game
If you don't have cable, you can still watch the Hall of Fame game through any streaming service that offers ESPN or ABC. Streaming platforms that will air the 2024 Hall of Fame Game live include Hulu+ and YouTube TV, but we recommend a seven-day free trial to FuboTV for all of your streaming needs.
Hall of Fame Game facts
The Hall of Fame Game has been held nearly every year since 1962 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. However, this opening preseason game has been canceled or cut short in the past for various reasons.
In 2020, the Steelers and Cowboys were expected to meet in the Hall of Fame game, but this contest was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic (they played the HoF Game one year later). In 2016, the game was canceled due to poor field conditions, and in 2011, it was canceled due to an NFL lockout.
The 2023 Hall of Fame Game was cut short due to lightning and heavy rain. This only happened one other time in 1980 when the Chargers vs. Packers game ended with 5:29 remaining because of severe storms. This was the only scoreless Hall of Fame Game in history. Here is the full list of Hall of Fame Game results since 1962.