Mark your calendars, NFL fans: The 2024 Hall of Fame Game will be played at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 1.
With the preseason opener rapidly approaching, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Hall of Fame Game.
NFL Reveals Teams, Date for 2024 Hall of Fame Game
The Chicago Bears and Houston Texans will compete in this year’s Hall of Fame Game, the league announced. The exhibition matchup will take place at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 1, in Canton, Ohio, where the Pro Football Hall of Fame is located.
🚨 The @ChicagoBears will face the @HoustonTexans in Canton for the 2024 Hall of Fame Game at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 1.
Tickets on sale 10 a.m. Friday, April 12.
More info: https://t.co/WoXwN3YXvn pic.twitter.com/3eQbtxnfpc
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) March 26, 2024
It will mark the seventh appearance in the Hall of Fame Game for the Bears. The last time Chicago competed in the game was 2018, which was a 17-16 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
As for the Texans, this will be the franchise’s second appearance in the Hall of Fame Game. Houston last competed in the game in 2002, which was its first season in the NFL after being added as an expansion franchise. The Texans lost 34-17 to the New York Giants.
What Is the Hall of Fame Game?
The Hall of Fame Game serves as the league’s annual preseason opener, and it’s held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The event takes place during the week of the Hall of Fame’s induction ceremonies.
The first version of the game was played in 1962 when construction of the Pro Football Hall of Fame began.
The NFL typically selects franchises with a notable player set for enshrinement. That’s the case this year, as Texans legend Andre Johnson and Bears great Devin Hester both will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Will Caleb Williams Play in the Hall of Fame Game?
Chicago selected quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and it’s possible Williams will take his first snaps as a Bear in Canton.
However, there’s no guarantee that Williams will play in the game. In recent years, teams have become increasingly hesitant toward playing their starters, including quarterbacks, in preseason matchups. The Bears might not want to put Williams at risk of suffering an injury in an exhibition game.
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Similarly, the Texans might keep franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud on the bench. With that said, Stroud played early in Houston’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots last year when he was a rookie, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.
Nevertheless, football will return on Aug. 1 — and thank goodness for that.