NFL Training Camps Open as Teams Begin Preparations for 2026 Season
The road to the 2026 NFL season officially begins this week as all 32 teams report to training camp, launching another year of football with preseason practices, fan events, and the annual Hall of Fame Game.
The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers are the first clubs with their full rosters on site and will open the preseason when they meet in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio.
All 32 Teams Report by July 28
Training camps are staggered throughout the week, with every NFL team expected to have its full roster in camp by Tuesday, July 28.
Among the earliest clubs to report are the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, while defending Super Bowl champion Seattle and Super Bowl LX runner-up New England begin preparations for their highly anticipated Kickoff Game on Sept. 9.
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, attend team festivals, and experience interactive activities as excitement builds toward the regular season.
NFL Network and ESPN will provide extensive live coverage throughout the weekend, featuring practices, player interviews, behind-the-scenes access, and reports from training camps across the country. NFL Network’s annual Inside Training Camp coverage begins Aug. 3 and continues daily through Aug. 12.
Joint Practices Continue to Grow
Joint practices remain one of the biggest trends around the NFL.
Twenty-eight teams will participate in at least one joint practice before the regular season, with the first sessions scheduled for Aug. 11.
Several organizations—including the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and Tennessee Titans—have scheduled three joint practices, while 15 clubs will participate in multiple sessions during August.
Most Teams Staying Home for Camp
Only six teams will spend the entirety of training camp away from their regular facilities:
- Buffalo Bills
- Dallas Cowboys
- Indianapolis Colts
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Rams
- Pittsburgh Steelers
The remaining 26 clubs will conduct camp at or near their team headquarters, matching the highest percentage of “stay-home” training camps since 2000 outside of the COVID-19 season.
Preseason Begins Aug. 6
The preseason opens with the Hall of Fame Game between the Panthers and Cardinals before a full slate of preseason action begins the following week.
Among the featured Week 1 matchups are:
- Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
- Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals
- Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
- Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets
The three-week preseason schedule concludes at the end of August before teams finalize their 53-man rosters ahead of the regular season.
Countdown to Kickoff
Following training camp and preseason play, the 2026 NFL regular season officially begins on Wednesday, Sept. 9, when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots in the NFL Kickoff Game.
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 Melbourne Cricket Ground.
With training camps now underway, every franchise begins the pursuit of a Super Bowl championship, while fans get their first look at rookies, veteran additions, and position battles that will shape the 2026 season.
Source: NFL
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
