The NFL Hall of Fame Game will be played in Canton, Ohio between the Bears and Texans this weekend.
Incepted in 1962, the Hall of Fame Game acts as a "Week 0" for the NFL preseason. As a result, the two teams involved play an extra preseason game. Accompanying the game is the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, in which the Hall of Fame class is enshrined in Canton.
The Hall of Fame Game is played in Canton at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Plenty of football besides the annual preseason opener has been played at the facility. Traditional high school power Canton McKinley plays home games there, and the USFL has played its two championships there before it merged with the XFL ahead of the 2024 season.
Here's what to know about Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium as the NFL season kicks off (kind of) in Canton.
MORE: Why is Caleb Williams sitting out the Hall of Fame Game in 2024?
How old is Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium?
Fawcett Stadium opened in 1938 after breaking ground in 1924. It underwent renovations in 2015 after a $10 million donation from Benson in 2014.
The Hall of Fame Game has been played since 1962, when the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals tied 21-21 at what was then Fawcett Stadium. It was brought to life alongside the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which was officially established in 1963.
For the result of every NFL Hall of Fame Game, click here.
Why is it called Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium?
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was formerly called Fawcett Stadium before being renamed for the late Saints owner. His wife, Gayle Benson, has owned the team since he died in 2018.
Benson donated $11 million to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, with $10 million going to renovations of Fawcett Stadium.
After the renovations were complete in 2016, the stadium name was changed to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in honor of him. It was dedicated on Aug. 3, 2017, and Benson died March 15, 2018.
What is Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium's capacity?
The capacity of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium sits at 23,000 fans.
That would be the smallest among NFL stadiums by far, of course. No NFL stadium has a capacity of less than 60,000.
Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium has hosted several high school teams over the years, including the Lincoln Lions, Lehman Polar Bears, GlenOak Golden Eagles, Timken Trojans, and Canton McKinley Bulldogs.
Its status as a high school field is the cause of its relatively low seating, though that does serve its purposes as an exhibition NFL venue well.
The venue is also used for concerts and various other events.
This year will be the 58th iteration of the Hall of Fame Game, which has been skipped just four times since 1962. Although Caleb Williams and C.J. Stroud will not be playing, it's still an event with serious fanfare. The setting only adds to its charm.
