Who is on the NBC call for Panthers vs Cardinals? How to watch the 2026 NFL Hall of Fame Game

Match date: 7 August 2026

Carolina Panthers vs Arizona Cardinals opens the 2026 NFL pre-season from Canton, Ohio, with NBC carrying the game in the US and Peacock USA streaming it for subscribers and eligible viewers. The national radio call is on Westwood One, so fans in both the United States and the UK have multiple ways to follow the Hall of Fame Game showcase.

The broadcast team is built around one of the NFL’s most recognisable presentations. Maria Taylor leads the studio coverage, while Mike Tirico handles play-by-play with Cris Collinsworth alongside him as analyst. Melissa Stark reports from the sideline, and former referee Terry McAulay adds officiating insight. NBC’s wider football team also includes former head coach Mike Tomlin, former NFL quarterback and coach Jason Garrett, former Patriots safety Devin McCourty, and NFL insider Mike Florio, giving the network a mix of tactical, playing and reporting experience.

Mike Tirico has been one of American sport’s most versatile live voices for decades, moving from ESPN to NBC and becoming a familiar presence on major football events, the Olympics and horse racing. Cris Collinsworth, a former Cincinnati Bengals receiver and long-time analyst, is best known for his detailed breakdowns and for being one of the defining voices of modern NFL television. Maria Taylor has established herself as a leading host across college football, the NBA and the NFL after building her reputation as a polished live presenter and interviewer. Melissa Stark is also a veteran of national football coverage, with a career that has included sidelines work across major networks and some of the league’s biggest events.

The Hall of Fame Game is traditionally the NFL’s first exhibition contest, and this year’s meeting between Carolina and Arizona begins the league’s 2026 pre-season schedule. The game is being played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, the site used for the annual celebration surrounding the Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend. An official NFL game page confirms the venue and matchup, while the Panthers’ team page lists NBC as the television home for the contest.

For listeners, Scott Graham and James Lofton are on the Westwood One call. Graham is a seasoned national play-by-play voice whose work across football and other major sports has made him a dependable broadcaster for big-event radio, while Lofton, a Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver, is valued for the perspective he brings from a standout playing career with the Packers and Bills.

On the field, this game is more than a ceremonial curtain-raiser. It offers coaches an early look at roster battles, backups and newcomers before the regular season begins. NFL reporting ahead of the matchup highlighted several things to watch in Panthers-Cardinals, underlining the game’s role as an early test rather than just an exhibition.[1]

For viewers in the US, the simplest options are NBC on television and Peacock for streaming. The Panthers’ own broadcast guide also notes that out-of-market fans can watch live mobile coverage via NFL+, and the game’s national radio presence on Westwood One gives it broad reach beyond local markets.[3][7]

For readers who want the league’s official context around the matchup and the Hall of Fame Game setting, the NFL’s game and news pages provide the clearest background on why Panthers-Cardinals is the first stop on the 2026 pre-season calendar.NFL game page

Article generated: 7 August 2026, 01:00 GMT