After years of being an NFL afterthought, the Detroit Lions have rebranded themselves into one of the league’s most exciting teams, drawing massive TV audiences and freshening up the usual broadcast narratives. Their growing popularity now earns them a spotlight role to begin the 2025 season.
The NFL announced Wednesday that Detroit will square off against the Los Angeles Chargers in the annual Hall of Fame Game. The matchup is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET in Canton, Ohio.
A Prime-Time Clash with Playoff Vibes
Pro Football Hall of Fame President Jim Porter highlighted the significance of this early-season meeting:
“These are two teams with legitimate hopes of making it to Super Bowl LX. Starting the season with this kind of showdown in Canton should set the tone for an exciting year.”
Although Hall of Fame Game teams are usually tied to that year’s inductees, the Lions have no players entering the Hall in 2025. Still, there’s a local connection—Antonio Gates, a Detroit native and longtime Chargers tight end, is one of this year’s enshrinees.
Impact on Detroit’s Preseason Plans
By taking part in this game, Detroit will play four preseason contests—one more than usual. That means starters likely won’t suit up much, if at all, for this extra game. Additionally, the team’s training camp will start earlier to accommodate the advanced schedule.
In 2024, for reference, the Lions opened camp on July 23. Last year’s Hall of Fame Game participants, Chicago and Houston, arrived at camp roughly a week sooner, on July 17 and July 19.
Details on this year’s training camp calendar are still to come, but fans won’t have to wait long to see new additions and position battles unfold live on the field.
Hall of Fame Game History
This marks the fourth time the Lions will participate in the Hall of Fame Game. Their previous appearances came in 1965 (vs. Washington), 1976 (vs. Denver), and 1991 (also vs. Denver), the latter being their only win in the series.
As for the Chargers, they’ve played twice before, most recently in 1994. Both teams will snap long absences from this event—32 seasons for Detroit and 29 for L.A.
A Trip Worth Making
With the buzz around both squads and a Hall of Fame induction to celebrate, this year’s kickoff in Canton offers fans a perfect reason to make the trip and experience NFL history up close.
