NFL Training Camps Open for 2026 Season
By Pretty Girls Media Sports Staff
The NFL Training Camps 2026 officially begin this week as all 32 teams report for preparations ahead of the new season, marking the start of another highly anticipated year of professional football.
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers are the first teams with their full rosters on site and will open the preseason in the NFL/Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio.
Hall of Fame Game Opens the Preseason
The 2026 preseason kicks off with the annual Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
The matchup serves as the league's first live action of the season and officially launches preseason competition ahead of Week 1.
NFL Kickoff and International Spotlight
Following the preseason, the NFL regular season opens with a rematch of Super Bowl LX, as the Seattle Seahawkshost the New England Patriots on Sept. 9.
One day later, the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will make history by playing the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sept. 10.
Back Together Weekend Returns
For the sixth consecutive year, every NFL team will participate in Training Camp: Back Together Weekend Presented by YouTube TV on Aug. 1-2.
The league-wide celebration gives fans their first opportunity to watch practices, meet players and participate in team-sponsored events before the regular season begins.
NFL Network and ESPN will provide extensive live coverage throughout the weekend, including practices, interviews and behind-the-scenes access from training camps across the country.
Joint Practices Continue Growing in Popularity
Joint practices remain a major part of preseason preparation across the NFL.
This year, 28 teams will participate in at least one joint practice, with several organizations—including the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans—scheduled for three sessions.
The first joint practices begin Aug. 11, featuring:
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers
Additional joint practices will continue throughout August as teams prepare for preseason competition.
Most Teams Staying Home for Camp
The NFL's trend of holding training camps at team facilities continues in 2026.
Twenty-six of the league's 32 clubs—81% of the NFL—will conduct the majority of training camp near their home facilities, tying last season for the highest percentage outside of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 campaign.
Only six teams will travel away from their primary facilities for the duration of camp, including the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Panthers Open Camp Early
The Carolina Panthers are among the league's earliest reporting teams, with rookies arriving on July 21 and veterans reporting on July 22 as preparations begin for both the Hall of Fame Game and the regular season.
The Panthers will also host a joint practice with the Houston Texans on Aug. 26 before wrapping up the preseason schedule.
2026 Preseason Schedule Begins Aug. 6
The preseason officially begins with the Hall of Fame Game before continuing through three weeks of exhibition matchups.
Highlights include:
Aug. 6: Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals (Hall of Fame Game)
Aug. 13: Opening night of Week 1 preseason action.
Aug. 20: Week 2 begins with Las Vegas at Houston.
Aug. 27: Final week of preseason games before teams finalize their 53-man rosters.
Eyes Turn Toward the 2026 Season
With veterans reporting, rookies already on the field and preseason games just weeks away, NFL teams are entering one of the most competitive periods of the calendar.
Training camp will determine roster spots, position battles and starting roles while giving fans their first look at offseason acquisitions, draft picks and returning stars as preparations continue for the 2026 NFL season.