Lions to host Chargers for Hall of Fame game to open NFL's 2025 preseason slate
The wait to see the Detroit Lions back on the field got a little shorter on Wednesday. The team announced that it will host the league’s annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
The Lions will face the Los Angeles Chargers on July 31 at 8 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, located next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The game will air on NBC Sports and stream on the network’s Peacock platform.
This will be Detroit’s fourth appearance in the Hall of Fame game, which kicks off the league’s preseason slate. They last played in the preseason contest in 1991, matching up with the Denver Broncos.
The early date for the game also means the Lions will be reporting to training camp a week or so earlier than normal. The veterans reported on July 23 last year, while the participants in the 2024 Hall of Fame game, the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears, reported on July 17 and July 19, respectively.
The game will kick off a week of festivities culminating with the induction of the 2025 Hall of Fame class on Aug. 2. That group includes cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, wide receiver Sterling Sharp and tight end Antonio Gates, a Detroit native, who spent his entire 16-year career with the Chargers.
Tickets for the game between the Lions and Chargers go on sale next Monday, April 28, at 10 a.m.
The complete preseason and regular season schedule is expected to be released next month.
I'm assuming no actual starters will be playing in this game?
I'm going through Lion withdrawals so the slightly earlier start of the preseason is appreciated! Plus, getting the team to start a bit early will give the new coordinators a bit more time to teach their philosophies.