Two ways to watch the NFL Hall of Fame Game for free today

Carson Beck is expected to make his first NFL action during the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday in Canton, Ohio. Find out how to watch for free.AP Photo/Ross D. FranklinIf you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.By Robert Fenbers, cleveland.comCANTON, Ohio – The 2026 NFL football season draws closer with the annual Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals today – Thursday, Aug. 6 – live from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. This special exhibition is available to watch on multiple streaming platforms for free.The 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game will be broadcast live on NBC at 8 p.m. Eastern. You can watch by utilizing a handful of streaming options, including FuboTV and DIRECTV, which both offer a free trial.Sling TV offers Sling Select, which has nearly a dozen channels, including local channels in eligible markets for $19.99. This game will also stream live on Peacock, which offers access to live sports for just $10.99 per month. This year’s rendition of the Hall of Fame Game will feature rookie quarterback’s Carson Beck (Arizona Cardinals) and Haynes King (Carolina Panthers), although fifth-year backup Kenny Pickett will grab the start for Carolina.Arizona will gladly turn the page on a miserable 2025, where they finished 3-14 and fired head coach Jonathan Gannon and parted ways with former No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray after seven seasons of mediocrity. Former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur took over as head coach. The Cardinals became the first team in NFL history to finish at least nine games behind every team in its division last season.Beck, the third quarterback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, will get the start. He threw for 3,813 yards and 30 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in his one season with the Miami Hurricanes last year. The Hurricanes fell short in the College Football Playoff National Championship. A breakout debut from Beck could catapult him up the projected depth chart against the likes of veteran Gardner Minshew and journeyman Jacoby Brissett.The Cardinals still deploy arguably the best tight end in the league in Trey McBride, who is just scratching the surface of his career. They are also banking on first-round draft pick Jeremiyah Love, who became the first running back drafted in the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Love will not play in today’s exhibition. The NFC West, featuring the Super Bowl-favorite Los Angeles Rams, Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and playoff powerhouse San Francisco 49ers, remains the toughest division in the NFL.Watch the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game for free on DIRECTVThe Panthers are coming off an 8-9 campaign that saw them win the NFC South and reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They became the fifth team in NFL history to win their division with an overall losing record. They also owned the third-worst point differential (-69) by a division winner since 1970. While Pickett will garner the start, King will be the main attraction for his NFL debut. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket dazzled in college with 29 total touchdowns and nearly 4,000 combined yards in his final collegiate season. With quarterback Bryce Young the franchise centerpiece, a strong performance could help King begin the conversation about a backup role over Pickett. Carolina rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan captured Offensive Rookie of the Year. He hauled in 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 14.5 yards per reception. Hoping to build off momentum, the Panthers bolstered their defense in the offseason, adding linebacker’s Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. Here are more details about how to watch the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game via various TV and streaming options:What: 2026 NFL Hall of Fame GameWhen: Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026Time: 8 p.m. EasternWhere: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium | Canton, OhioChannels: NBCBest streaming options: FuboTV (free trial and $20 off first month), DIRECTV (free trial and $35 off first month), Sling TV and PeacockWhere to watch Guardians vs. Mets today: MLB free live streamHow to watch WWE SummerSlam for free tonight if you don’t have ESPNHow to watch Fever vs. Lynx WNBA game today | Caitlin ClarkHere is the easiest way to watch WWE SummerSlam for free tonightMust-have fall colorways are here: How to buy Nike NCAA Vomero 18 pack Robert Fenbers, who has been a freelance journalist since 2015, is the sports commerce reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Robert focuses on local and national sporting event ticket sales and how...