Today’s Football Schedule, Full List of Games, Kickoff Times, and TV Channels

Quick Answer

Today's football schedule for Thursday, August 6, 2026, features a mix of domestic cup action and continental competition. The headline fixtures include EFL Cup first-round matches in England, UEFA Europa League third-round qualifying ties across Europe, and Copa Betano do Brasil Round of 16 second-leg encounters.

In the United States, the NFL season opens with the Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals at 8:00 PM ET on NBC, while college football also has a full slate of games. The most notable European tie sees Rangers travel to face Jagiellonia, with Beşiktaş and Anderlecht among the other prominent clubs in action.

Key Facts

• The NFL Hall of Fame Game kicks off the 2026 season: Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals, 8:00 PM ET, NBC, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio
• Line for the Hall of Fame Game: Panthers -1.5, over/under 35.5 points
• Multiple UEFA Europa League third-round first-leg matches are scheduled, including Jagiellonia vs. Rangers, RB Salzburg vs. Pafos, and Beşiktaş vs. Hradec Králové
• EFL Cup first-round fixtures are on the calendar, with Bristol City among the teams listed
• Copa Betano do Brasil Round of 16 second-leg matches feature Athletico Paranaense and other Brazilian clubs
• College football games include Boise State at Oregon (3:30 PM, CBS), Tulane at Duke (3:30 PM, ACC Network), and Kent State at South Carolina (12:45 PM, SEC Network)
• Later college games include UNLV at Hawaii and Central Michigan at New Mexico, both at 10:00 PM
• Africa Women Cup of Nations Round 3 matches include Cabo Verde vs. Cameroon and Mali vs. Ghana
• CONCACAF Central American Cup Round 2 features Verdes vs. Municipal
• Several Europa League matches are marked with a "Watch" indicator, suggesting broadcast availability

The European Evening Europa League Qualifying Takes Center Stage

Thursday nights in European football have long been associated with continental competition, and August 6, 2026, continues that tradition. The UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first legs dominate the schedule, with a spread of fixtures that will shape which clubs advance closer to the group stage.

Marquee Matchups and Storylines

The tie between Jagiellonia and Rangers stands out for several reasons. Rangers, one of Scotland's traditional giants, find themselves in qualifying rounds as they aim to return to the group stages of European competition.

Jagiellonia, the Polish club, earned their place through domestic performance and will be eager to make home advantage count in the first leg. For Polish football, success in European qualifiers represents both financial reward and a chance to raise the domestic league's coefficient.

RB Salzburg's home fixture against Pafos offers a contrast in pedigree. Salzburg have been a consistent presence in European competitions over the past decade, with a well-established recruitment model that identifies young talent and develops it for the European market.

Pafos, representing Cypriot football, face a significant step up in competition quality. The Austrian side will be expected to establish a commanding lead before the return leg.

Beşiktaş's home match against Hradec Králové brings Turkish football into the mix. The Istanbul club's passionate home support at their waterfront stadium creates one of the most intimidating atmospheres in European qualifying.

Hradec Králové, a Czech side, will need to manage the occasion as much as the opposition.

The Broader Qualifying Picture

Other Europa League ties on today's schedule include:

• KuPS vs. Universitatea Craiova
• Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. CSKA Sofia
• Lincoln Red Imps vs. Omonia
• Lech Poznań vs. Atromitos
• Monaco vs. Getafe
• Fiorentina vs. Deportivo A Coruña
• Málaga vs. Al-Arabi Doha
• PAOK vs. Anderlecht
• Thun vs. Víkingur Reykjavík
• Benfica vs. Hearts

The Benfica vs. Hearts tie carries particular interest for Scottish football supporters.

Hearts, competing in European qualifying, face one of Portugal's biggest clubs. For Benfica, the Europa League represents a path back to continental prominence after any domestic disappointment.

The financial gap between the two clubs is substantial, but cup competition has a way of producing surprises. The Monaco vs.

Getafe fixture pairs two clubs from major European leagues who both aspire to consistent European participation. These are the kinds of ties that make qualifying rounds compelling — neither side can take the other lightly, and the two-legged format adds strategic depth.

What to Watch Across These Ties

Qualifying rounds reward teams that manage the tie across 180 minutes rather than going all-out in the first leg. Coaches must balance the desire to build an advantage at home with the risk of conceding away goals that could prove decisive.

Expect cautious approaches in the first legs, with teams feeling each other out before the return fixtures. The "Watch" indicators on several matches suggest broadcast availability across various platforms, though specific channels were not listed in the available information.

Fans should check their local listings or official club channels for streaming options.

Domestic Cup Action EFL Cup and Copa Betano do Brasil

Beyond the continental qualifiers, today's schedule includes domestic cup competitions in two of the world's most football-obsessed nations.

EFL Cup First Round

The EFL Cup, open to clubs across England's top four divisions, begins its first-round stage today. Bristol City are listed among the teams in action, though the full fixture list was not available in the reference material.

First-round ties in the EFL Cup typically feature Championship clubs hosting or traveling to League One and League Two opposition, creating opportunities for lower-league sides to test themselves against stronger opponents. For clubs in the Championship, the EFL Cup represents a chance at silverware and potential prize money, but managers often balance squad rotation with the desire to progress.

Early-season fitness concerns can lead to unexpected selections, and Wembley appearances can define careers. The competition has a history of producing memorable giant-killings, particularly in the early rounds when Premier League clubs enter at later stages.

Copa Betano do Brasil Round of 16

In Brazil, the Copa Betano do Brasil reaches its Round of 16 second-leg stage today. Athletico Paranaense are among the clubs listed, though again the complete fixture details were not specified in the available information.

Brazilian cup football is notoriously intense. The knockout format throws together clubs from different regional and national tiers, and the atmosphere at Brazilian stadiums adds another layer of difficulty for visiting teams.

Second-leg ties carry the weight of aggregate scores and away goals, making every moment of the matches meaningful. The competition's name reflects its sponsorship arrangement, with Betano serving as the title sponsor.

Brazilian clubs take this competition seriously — it offers a realistic path to continental qualification through the Copa Libertadores spots, particularly for clubs that may not challenge for the league title.

The NFL Season Begins Hall of Fame Game and What It Means

While European and South American football commands attention across the Atlantic, American football fans have their own reason to tune in tonight. The NFL's 2026 season officially begins with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

Panthers vs. Cardinals A Preseason Opener With Context

The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals meet at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM ET on NBC. The game, part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's annual enshrinement festivities, traditionally serves as the NFL's opening act for the preseason.

The betting line offers some insight into expectations. The Panthers are listed as 1.5-point favorites with an over/under of 35.5 points.

These modest numbers reflect the nature of preseason football — starters play limited snaps, and the quality of play often resembles a scrimmage more than a regular-season contest. Coaches use these games to evaluate roster bubble players, test positional battles, and build conditioning.

Why the Hall of Fame Game Matters

The Hall of Fame Game's significance extends beyond the final score. For undrafted free agents and veteran fringe players, this is the first opportunity to make an impression that could earn a roster spot.

Front offices evaluate every snap with an eye toward final roster cuts, which will come over the following weeks. For fans, the game offers the first look at offseason acquisitions, rookie draft picks, and position groups that underwent changes during the spring.

Quarterback play typically remains conservative, with simplified playbook packages designed to evaluate execution rather than strategy. The game's timing — a full week before the rest of the preseason begins — gives these two teams an extra game's worth of evaluation data and an additional week before their second preseason contests.

Teams participating in the Hall of Fame Game receive a compensatory third preseason game, which can affect how coaches structure their training camp schedules.

Broadcasting and Viewing

NBC carries the game nationally, making it accessible to a broad audience. The prime-time slot also gives the NFL a marquee August television event, signaling the sport's return to the calendar after the summer lull.

For many fans, this game marks the unofficial end of the football offseason.

College Football's Early Season Slate

Today's college football schedule reflects the sport's evolving calendar, with games spread across multiple time slots and broadcast partners. The matchups range from marquee intersectional clashes to regional contests with clear favorites.

Marquee Matchups

The Boise State at Oregon game, scheduled for 3:30 PM on CBS at Autzen Stadium, headlines the day's college slate. Oregon enters as 24.5-point favorites with an over/under of 52.5 points.

The Ducks' home-field advantage at one of college football's loudest venues contributes to the substantial spread. Boise State, despite their underdog status, have a history of competing on big stages and will look to keep the game competitive into the fourth quarter.

Tulane at Duke, also at 3:30 PM on ACC Network, presents a more evenly matched contest. Duke are favored by 10 points with the same 52.5 over/under.

This game features two programs that have invested heavily in football in recent years, with both seeking to establish themselves as consistent winners in their respective conferences.

Midday and Afternoon Games

Kent State at South Carolina kicks off at 12:45 PM on SEC Network, with South Carolina installed as 34.5-point favorites. This is the type of game where the home team's depth and talent differential typically show as the game progresses, but early-season rust can keep margins closer than expected.

Youngstown State at Kentucky (1:00 PM, SECN+) and Southeast Missouri State at Iowa State (1:00 PM, ESPN+) represent the streaming-only portion of the schedule. These games allow smaller programs to secure revenue-generating road guarantees while giving larger programs tune-up opportunities against overmatched opposition.

Duquesne at Air Force (1:00 PM, MW+) completes the early-afternoon slate. Air Force's option offense provides a unique preparation challenge, though the Falcons should control this game comfortably.

Late-Night West Coast Action

The evening slate moves west with two 10:00 PM kickoffs. UNLV travels to Hawaii with a narrow 1.5-point line favoring the Rebels, and the over/under sits at 58.5.

Hawaii's travel demands and late kickoff times can create strange game environments, which helps explain the tight spread despite the teams' differing conference standings. Central Michigan at New Mexico has New Mexico favored by 12.5 points with a 48.5 over/under.

Mississippi Valley State completes the late slate with a trip to Sacramento State on ESPN+.

What These Games Reveal About the Season Ahead

Early-season college football games provide incomplete evidence about team quality, but they do establish baselines. Coaches use these contests to settle quarterback competitions, evaluate offensive line combinations, and identify defensive weaknesses before conference play intensifies.

The lopsided spreads in several games suggest limited competitive balance in the early non-conference portion of the schedule, but that's typical for August college football.

How to Watch Today's Football

The broadcast landscape for today's matches spans traditional networks, cable sports channels, and streaming platforms.

Broadcast Networks and Cable

• NBC: NFL Hall of Fame Game (Panthers vs. Cardinals, 8:00 PM ET)
• CBS: Boise State at Oregon (3:30 PM ET)
• ACC Network: Tulane at Duke (3:30 PM ET)
• SEC Network: Kent State at South Carolina (12:45 PM ET)
• FS1: Central Michigan at New Mexico (10:00 PM ET)
• CW: UNLV at Hawaii (10:00 PM ET)

Streaming Options

ESPN+ carries Southeast Missouri State at Iowa State and Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State. SECN+ offers Youngstown State at Kentucky, and MW+ streams Duquesne at Air Force.

European match broadcasts were not fully specified in the available reference material. Several Europa League fixtures carried a "Watch" indicator, suggesting live coverage exists, but specific channels were not listed.

Fans of Rangers, Beşiktaş, Benfica, and the other European clubs in action should check official club channels and regional sports networks for broadcast details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest European match today?

The Europa League third-round qualifying tie between Benfica and Hearts carries the largest profile difference between the two clubs, but Jagiellonia vs. Rangers and Monaco vs.

Getafe also draw significant attention. Benfica's continental pedigree makes their fixture the most-watched European match, though Rangers' large traveling support and global fanbase make their tie particularly notable.

What time is the NFL Hall of Fame Game?

The Carolina Panthers face the Arizona Cardinals at 8:00 PM ET tonight, August 6, 2026. The game airs on NBC from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, with the Panthers listed as 1.5-point favorites.

Are there any college football games on tonight?

Yes. UNLV at Hawaii and Central Michigan at New Mexico both kick off at 10:00 PM ET.

Mississippi Valley State at Sacramento State also starts at 10:00 PM ET and streams on ESPN+.

Which Europa League matches have TV coverage?

The reference material indicates several matches have a "Watch" indicator, including Beşiktaş vs. Hradec Králové and Benfica vs.

Hearts, but specific channel information was not provided. Fans should consult their local listings or the clubs' official channels for broadcast details.

Is this the first game of the NFL season?

This is the first game of the NFL's preseason schedule, not the regular season. The Hall of Fame Game traditionally kicks off the preseason each year, with the regular season beginning in September.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.