The NFL's Hall of Fame Game marked the official return of football in 2026.
The Arizona Cardinals took on the Carolina Panthers in the NFL's Hall of Fame Game on August 6 in Canton, Ohio. The first preseason game of the 2026 NFL season is typically nothing to write home about. Most of the top players on each roster sit out, paving the way for rookies, undrafted free agents and roster longshots to showcase their abilities.
But while the game is typically not the highest-level quality of football, the TV ratings show that Americans are just desperate to watch NFL football, in really any form.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
NBC Sports announced the TV ratings for the Hall of Fame Game on Monday, August 10.
"Back to Football...Big Numbers for Down-to-the-Wire Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on NBC and Peacock!" NBC announced.
In total, 7 million people tuned in for the game. It was the most-watched Hall of Fame Game since 2017.
Fans are desperate to watch NFL football
While tens of millions of fans will tune into NFL regular season and playoff games, the 7.0 million number for a preseason contest is still highly impressive.
In fact, as Ben Koo of Awful Announcing notes, it's more than any NHL game had last season.
America is certainly desperate for football and the ratings for the Hall of Fame Game certainly prove it.
This was just the first of many NFL preseason games this month and while few other games should match this TV rating number, it's a sign of massive ratings to come when the regular season begins in September.
