NBC adds Carrie Underwood highlights to Hall of Fame Game telecast

NBC is using its first NFL telecast of 2026 to preview a staple of its Sunday night package. The network said Thursday that its Pro Football Hall of Fame Game broadcast will include highlights from the new *Sunday Night Football* show open featuring Carrie Underwood. NBC Sports said Underwood will return for a 14th consecutive season in the opening sequence, which will fully debut on September 13. The Hall of Fame Game between the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers is scheduled for Thursday night in Canton, Ohio. ### When will viewers first see the new Carrie Underwood footage? August 6 is the first on-air preview date NBC has given for the new *Sunday Night Football* open. In its Hall of Fame Game promotion, NBC Sports said highlights from the new show open will premiere during Thursday’s telecast. (nbcsports.com) NBC separately said the full 2026 *Sunday Night Football* opening will debut on September 13, when the package begins its new season on NBC and Peacock. A network item published Thursday described the Hall of Fame Game footage as teaser material ahead of that full launch. ### How long has Underwood been part of the opening? (nbcsports.com) Carrie Underwood is returning for her 14th consecutive season in the *Sunday Night Football* show open, NBC Sports said in an August 4 press release. The network used the same count in its Hall of Fame Game notes this week. (nbc.com) July 30, 2025, was the date NBC announced Underwood’s 13th consecutive season in last year’s open, according to an earlier network release. The new season’s count extends that run by one year. ### What is NBC pairing this preview with? (nbcsports.com) The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game is NBC’s first NFL game telecast of the 2026 preseason. NBC said the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will meet at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. (nbcsports.com) NFL and NBC schedule listings both identify the Hall of Fame Game as the preseason opener. NFL.com said the matchup begins the 2026 preseason, while NBC’s preseason schedule page lists the same game and time. ### What has NBC said about the 2026 open itself? August 4 materials from NBC Sports said Underwood will star in the show open again beginning September 13. (nbcsports.com) A separate NBC Insider item published Thursday said the new opening debuts that night and described the Hall of Fame Game segment as teaser footage. (nfl.com) NBC has not, in the material reviewed, released the full sequence as a standalone broadcast debut before Thursday’s game. The network’s published plan is to use the Hall of Fame Game for preview highlights and then unveil the complete open with the regular-season *Sunday Night Football* opener. ### What comes next on NBC’s NFL schedule? (nbcsports.com) September 13 is the date NBC says the full 2026 *Sunday Night Football* open will debut. The network said that opening night game will feature the Dallas Cowboys against the New York Giants. August 6 is the immediate next step for viewers. NBC and Peacock are carrying the Cardinals-Panthers Hall of Fame Game from Canton, where the network said the first highlights from Underwood’s new opening will air during the telecast. (nbc.com) (nbcsports.com)