Detroit Lions will open 2025 preseason with Hall of Fame Game

The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers will face off in the 2025 Hall of Fame preseason game. Date, time and ticket information here.

The Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Chargers will open the NFL 2025 preseason with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the matchup—which will take place on Thursday, July 31 at 8 p.m. ET—on Wednesday afternoon.

Typically, the participants are chosen based on that year’s Hall of Fame class. And while Chargers legend Antonio Gates will be inducted this year, the Lions do not have a player that will be added to the Hall of Fame in 2025. That said, Gates is a Detroit native.

Per the official announcement, this is the fourth time ever the Lions have been a part of the Hall of Fame Game. The last time they participated was 1991, when they defeated the Denver Broncos, 14-3.

This means the Lions will play four preseason games, instead of the typical three—which can be a challenge for an NFL team. That said, most choose to treat this game by playing only deep reserves to lessen the chance of injuries to key players. While it may be a nuisance to some, being able to participate in the Hall of Fame Game gives fans an excuse to make a trip down to the hallowed grounds, and it likely means an earlier start to training camp for the Lions.

If you’re interested in attending this year’s Hall of Fame Game, tickets will go on sale this upcoming Monday (April 28) at 10 a.m. ET. You can get tickets at the Pro Football official Hall of Fame website here.