When Does the 2016 NFL Preseason Start? Packers, Colts Kick Off Football Schedule

The 2016 NFL season is quickly approaching, and games are set to begin in less than a week. Exactly six months after Super Bowl 50, the first preseason game will get underway.

The Green Bay Packers will take on the Indianapolis Colts in Canton, Ohio, on Sunday Aug. 7 in this year’s Hall of Fame Game. The contest is set to kick off one day after former Packers quarterback Brett Favre gets inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. Former Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison and ex-Colts head coach Tony Dungy will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame on that Saturday.

Both teams have made four appearances in the Hall of Fame Game. The Colts last did it in 2008, while the Packers haven’t played in the game in 13 years.

The other 32 teams start the preseason the following week, meaning Green Bay and Indianapolis will both play five exhibition games. The regular season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 8 with a rematch of Super Bowl 50 as the Denver Broncos host the Carolina Panthers.

More than one-third of the NFL is just 10 days away from starting their preseason schedule. The Panthers, Broncos, New England Patriots and Washington Redskins are among the 12 teams that return to the field on Thursday, Aug. 11.

The Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers will be the last two teams to start playing games. They’ll meet on Sunday, Aug. 14 to close out Week 1 of the preseason.

Every team concludes the preseason with their final exhibition contest on Thursday, Sept. 1. Below is a look at the NFL Week 1 preseason schedule.

Thursday, Aug. 11

Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons, 7 p.m. ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Philadelphia Eagles, 7 p.m. ET

New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots, 7:30 p.m. ET

Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens, 7:30 p.m. ET

Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Jets, 7:30 p.m. ET

Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears, 8 p.m. ET

Friday, Aug. 12

Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers, 7 p.m. ET

Miami Dolphins at New York Giants, 7 p.m. ET

Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals, 7:30 p.m. ET