The Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers will open the 2025 season when they face off in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio this summer. The contest will be held at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, located next to the Pro Football Hall of Fame museum.
These two franchises have five Hall of Fame Game appearances between them. The Lions haven’t appeared in the Hall of Fame Game since 1991, while the Bolts last played in the game in 1994 when they were the San Diego Chargers.
“This game features two teams that can be considered legitimate contenders to reach Super Bowl LX next February,” said Jim Porter, the president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in a statement. “For them to face each other right out of the gate in Canton, Ohio, should create a dynamic opening to another spectacular NFL season.”
Lions vs. the Chargers in this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on July 31. pic.twitter.com/xuFU7cZx05
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 23, 2025
The Chargers and Lions had a combined record of 26-8, which equates to a win percentage of 0.765. Los Angeles earned the number one Wild Card spot in the AFC while Detroit was the top-seeded team in the NFC with a 15-2 record.
Before the game takes place, the National Football League will honor the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class of inductees. Former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates is one of the people who will be honored along with former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eric Allen, former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, and former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe.
The 2025 Hall of Fame Game will be played on July 31st, 2025, at 8 p.m. EDT. Tickets for the game will be made available to the public starting at 10 a.m. EDT on April 28th.
