Chargers vs. Lions Announced for Hall of Fame Game on 2025 NFL Preseason Schedule

The first game of the 2025 NFL season is officially set, with the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions playing in the Hall of Fame Game.

On Wednesday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the Chargers-Lions matchup will be played on July 31 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

The Chargers are going to be well-represented in Canton this summer with Antonio Gates among the four-member class of 2025 being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gates spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Chargers from 2003 to '18. He ranks first all-time in receiving touchdowns (116), fourth in receptions (955) and fourth in receiving yards (11,841) among tight ends.

The Lions made for a natural opponent since Gates was born and raised in Detroit. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school at Detroit Central before going on to play college football and basketball at Kent State.

This will mark the first appearance in the Hall of Fame Game for both teams in more than 30 years. The Chargers last time playing in Canton was in 1994; the Lions' most recent visit was in 1991.

The 2025 game will mark the fourth all-time Hall of Fame Game for the Lions and third for the Chargers.

This is also the earliest date for the Hall of Fame Game since 2000 when the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers played on July 1.

The Chargers and Lions will play three days before the Hall of Fame class of 2025 is officially enshrined at a ceremony on Aug. 2.