The NFL will honor the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame class later this summer, but before those inductees receive their gold jackets, the NFL Hall of Fame Game will officially represent the start of this season’s live action. Which teams will play in the Hall of Fame Game? Let’s break down all the details you need to know.

What Is the NFL Hall of Fame Game?

The NFL Hall of Fame Game is an annual exhibition played the same weekend as the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s yearly ceremony. From 1971 to 2010, the game typically featured an AFC team squaring off against an NFC club. However, beginning in 2011, each squad has been tied to a player being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

When Is the NFL Hall of Fame Game in 2023?

• Date: Thursday, Aug. 3
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio

Who Is Playing in the Hall of Fame Game?

The New York Jets will face the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 Hall of Fame Game. Former Jets Darrelle Revis and Joe Klecko and ex-Brown Joe Thomas are among this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, so it makes sense that New York and Cleveland will be featured in the HOF game.

Teams typically don’t play many of their starters in the Hall of Fame Game, so fans might have to wait to see Aaron Rodgers in a Jets uniform. But young players like Jets RB Israel Abanikanda and Browns RB Jerome Ford could see ample playing time as New York and Cleveland get looks at the back ends of their rosters.

Neither the Jets nor the Browns have been featured in the Hall of Fame Game in years. Cleveland played in the HOF game after the Browns were reformed in 1999, while Gang Green was last involved in the contest in 1992.

What Channel Is the Hall of Fame Game On?

The 2023 NFL Hall of Fame Game will be broadcast on NBC.

History of the Hall of Fame Game

The first Hall of Fame Game was played in 1962, while the second game took place the day after the HOF officially opened in 1963. Beginning in 1970, the NFL began playing the Hall of Fame at the start of the preseason.

The game has been played every year since, with four exceptions. There was no Hall of Fame Game in 1966 after the NFL and AFL merged. In 2011, the NFL lockout led to the cancellation of the contest. Then, in 2016, subpar field conditions forced the game to be wiped out, and in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic made the game untenable.

Last year’s game was initially delayed due to inclement weather, but the Jaguars and Raiders eventually squared off. Ameer Abdullah, Jarrett Stidham, and Austin Walter all scored touchdowns for Las Vegas as they walked away with a 27-11 victory.

FAQ

Is the Hall of Fame Game Considered Preseason?

The Hall of Fame Game is considered an exhibition game like the rest of the preseason. The game is played one week before the rest of the league begins its preseason games. Therefore, the teams that play in the Hall of Fame Game will participate in four total preseason contests instead of the standard three.

Who Is Being Inducted into the HOF in 2023?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will add nine individuals to its ranks in 2023:

• Ronde Barber, CB
• Don Coryell, Coach
• Chuck Howley, LB
• Joe Klecko, DL
• Darrelle Revis, CB
• Ken Riley, CB
• Joe Thomas, OT
• Zach Thomas, LB
• DeMarcus Ware, LB

Can You Bet on the Hall of Fame Game?

Yes, you can bet on the Hall of Fame Game just as you can wager on any NFL preseason game. Sportsbooks will offer game totals, over/unders, and bets on specific player performance for the Hall of Fame Game.