Football fans, mark your calendars—NFL preseason will officially kick off with a bang as the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers face off in the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Thursday, July 31.
The game, set at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, will bring two playoff teams from last season back to the field for a special matchup. It’s tradition for this game to feature teams tied to that year’s Hall of Fame class, and this year, there’s a clear link—legendary tight end Antonio Gates is getting enshrined. Gates, who holds the record for most receiving touchdowns by a tight end, played his entire 16-year career with the Chargers and just so happens to be a Detroit native.
He’ll be inducted alongside Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe during the Hall of Fame ceremony on Sunday, August 3.
It’s been a long wait for both franchises—Detroit last played in the Hall of Fame Game back in 1991, and the Chargers haven’t made an appearance since 1994. Both teams made the playoffs last season but were knocked out early—Detroit lost in the divisional round as the NFC’s top seed, while the Chargers were eliminated in the wild card.
It’s a meaningful way to launch the 2025 season, with some football history, a little bit of hometown pride, and two teams hungry to take the next step.
Lions vs. Chargers to Kick Off 2025 NFL Preseason in Hall of Fame Game
