August 5th - 9th @ Sugardale Fan Fest '26

Experience a tailgate like never before on the campus of the Pro Football Hall of Fame! 32 signature dishes across each Pro Football Conference, from smoky, slow-cooked favorites to bold, flavor-packed bites. Grab a passport and savor your way through a nationwide tailgate experience you won’t forget.

Presented in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Sugardale Fan Fest '26.

The USA TODAY Great American Tailgate is a one-of-a-kind fan experience that brings together football, food, and tradition during a celebrated week of professional football's highest honors. This multi-day celebration invites fans to gather on a historic campus and enjoy iconic tailgate-inspired dishes representing teams from across the country, immersive entertainment, and a festival atmosphere that captures the spirit of America's favorite sport.

The USA TODAY Great American Tailgate is designed to create unforgettable memories where legendary moments, bold flavors, and shared fandom come together in the heart of football history. You'll enjoy food inspired by NFL cities from across the country, and if you find a favorite, full-size versions of each meal are available to purchase with tickets you can buy on-site during the Great American Tailgate.

Our advice? Grab a passport ticket at the link below, and COME HUNGRY!

Click HERE to grab a passport ticket and learn more!

Tailgate Schedule:

August 5: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

August 6: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

August 7: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

August 8: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

August 9: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Enshrinement Week is full of time-honored traditions and exciting new events and entertainment!

If you haven't been to the museum in a while, you'll be surprised by the sprawling new campus. Hall of Fame Village offers unique restaurants, attractions, and entertainment all year long! Check out what's new in Hall of Fame Village. And while you're there, check out our Visit Canton Welcome Center, located in the Fan-Engagement Zone! We offer gifts, souvenirs, and other goodies from all across Stark County, as well as traveler info, staff recommendations, and so much more!

An amazing new way to experience the diverse flavors of each football team is with the brand-new USA TODAY Great American Tailgate! With a passport ticket, you'll be able to sample dishes representing each of the 32 NFL teams, inspired by the tailgate traditions of each NFL professional football team!

The passports come in various flavors themselves, starting at $40 dollars to get six sample-size servings of different dishes. Or enjoy ALL 32 TAILGATE TASTINGS for $110, and enjoy grub from across the AFC & NFC conferences! Daily VIP packages are also available that give you six servings, a swag-grab-bag, a chance to meet a Hall of Famer, and more! You can find these great flavors during the Sugardale Fan Fest, and if you like a dish, full-size portions are available to purchase! We're looking forward to trying as many as we can. Support your home team with a tailgate tradition to you know and love, or check out what the competition has on offer! Either way, your tastebuds will thank you!

SOME TIPS FOR FOODIES: Guests can purchase tasting passports in 6-, 16-, or 32-sample quantities, and if you don't think you can eat enough in one go, don't worry! Passports are valid for the entire duration of the event and are not day-specific, so guests may use the same passport across multiple days until all samples have been redeemed. Did you find a favorite dish? Get a full sized portion! Full-size meals are purchased using individual food tickets available on-site. Each item requires a specific number of tickets. For example, the Los Angeles Street Corn is 7 tickets, while the Houston Brisket Nachos are 15 tickets. Our biggest advice? COME HUNGRY.

The USA TODAY Great American Tailgate is sure to be an exciting way to check out flavors from each NFL citie across the nation, giving you the opportunity to sample regional specialties or enjoy full-size versions of their favorites while taking in the excitement of Enshrinement Week and Sugardale Fan Fest.

Purchase your USA TODAY GREAT AMERICAN TAILGATE passport tickets here!

Experience the sky like never before with the Drone Light Show during the Balloon Classic presented by Aultman! Witness a mesmerizing display as a fleet of drones lights up the night, creating dazzling aerial choreography. Don't miss this cutting-edge addition. Each night features a unique, custom show! We recommend arriving early to enjoy the whole Balloon Classic and surrounding Festival with great food truck options, games, and more. You'll want to bring a lawn chair for this one if possible, but the Kent-Stark campus grounds are easy to navigate and there's fun to be found all over the campus.

Canton is a second home to Hall of Famers, and many of the returning legends have a few local favorites they'll stop by and visit while in town. You just never know in what restaurants and businesses you might see a Pro Football Hall of Famer enjoying their time here in Canton.

As for the best places you're guaranteed to run into your favorite players, these are a few of our favorites:

Cheer on the Class of 2026 as they receive their Gold Jackets on Friday, August 7th at the Canton Memorial Civic Center during the Gold Jacket Dinner. Not only will you see the Class of 2026, but over 100 Hall of Famers return every year for the “gauntlet” welcoming the new members into their fraternity. You'll see tons of Hall of Fame legends congratulate the new enshrinees as they make their way to the middle of the stage to receive their brand new Gold Jacket. It's quite the show to see these members of sports history welcome a new member into the fold!

It’s a world-class experience that you can only experience in person here in Canton! Not only is it a great meal where you'll help honor world-class football players - you'll witness the very first time each new member dones their Haggar-designed Gold Jacket - signifying their position as one of the All Time Greatest of the Game.

Our favorite part? Each Enshrinee chooses who will help them put on their new Gold Jacket. From family members, former coaches, to fellow teammates, this is a special moment. You'll have an incredible seat to witness an unmatched moment - raw and real, right inside the beautiful Canton Memorial Civic Center.

The greatest in the game gather to take a photo in front of the iconic Rotunda of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and walk the path around the front entrance where fans can greet and cheer on the returning Hall of Famers as well as the new enshrinees! That's the fun of the Hall of Famer Walk!

Our tip? Bring a fun sign to welcome the greatest of the game back to Canton, and get their early to nab a good spot. This event isn't typically over-crowded and does not last very long, so it's easy to work into the rest of your sightseeing and trip during Enshrinement Week! If you have a spare hour or two in your day, this is a fun event to witness!

This is IT. Saturday, August 8th - it's a sure to be an amazing day to witness legends formally accept their place in Football Heaven. Enshrinement is the can't miss event of the weekend! The ceremony features speeches ranging from emotional to hilarious and each member of the new Class of 2026 unveil their official bronze busts in front of family, friends, teammates, mentors, and ultimate FANS! (That's you!) Carved to perfection, these busts represent the permanent mark each player has left on the game. As the cloth is pulled away, it’s the moment a player officially becomes immortal. Expect emotions to be high as each member of the new class delivers remarks about their unique journeys from the backyards of home to Canton, Ohio - "The Most Inspiring Place on Earth!"

The Enshrinement event is at the iconic Tom Benson Hall of Fame, near the Pro Football Hall of Fame and on the campus of Hall of Fame Village.

An additional highlight: NFL Fans dressing up to support the incoming class or their favorite team. Bring the facepaint, jersey, and crazy helmets. These are true fans who love the game and they bring that energy to Canton every year!

The new members may be enshrined, but don't head for home just yet! On Sunday, August 9th, another favorite up close and personal experience is the Unscripted & Tailgate. Outside Canton's beautiful Memorial Civic Center is a fantastic tailgate experience with food, games, marching band performances, gift shops, beer, and more. See fans from all over the world come together for a tailgate unlike any other! After that, head inside for an insightful - and literally unscripted - conversation between members of the new class of Football's Greatest of the Game.

The forum provides for a laidback exchange between colleagues who just happen to be NFL legends. It's a once-in-a-lifetime peek behind the curtain of an elite brotherhood of Hall of Famers, and a chance to see them engage on a deeply personal level sharing stories, jokes, and more with each other and the crowd.

Our favorite: Amazing food and a chance to hangout with fellow fans is awesome, but hearing such a raw discussion with legends is worth being there for. We highly recommend coming early to enjoy the tailgate food and games!

If you're after an autograph, the official autograph session on August 6th at 9:00 AM is for you!

Members of the Class of 2026 will be available to sign autographs, but only for a limited time! 300 tickets will be sold. While for the serious collector and superfan, each ticket gets you 1 signed item per Hall of Fame Enshrinee of the new Class of 2026. (Roger Craig will sign a photograph in advance of the event).

You can learn more about the autograph session and purchase your tickets here.

When should you purchase your ticket?

You have been waiting all year to come to Canton, now is your time to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame museum! Skip the Box Office lines by purchasing your museum tickets in advance! Fans are encouraged to purchase admission in advance to receive Fast Lane entrance access. Purchasing admission in advance will also qualify you to receive standard admission rates instead of special events rates in effect during Enshrinement Week. Saving time and money - what could be better?

What's the best day to visit the museum during Enshrinement Week?

Biggest thing to know up top - The Pro Football Hall of Fame will close at 5pm on August 6th (Hall of Fame Game!). The normal summer hours are extended until September 8th! You'll be able to explore the history of Pro Football and learn about the legendary players, coaches, and others who impacted the game during extended summer hours!

Pro Football Hall of Fame Extended Summer Hours

Sunday-Wednesday 9 am - 5 pm
Thursday-Saturday 9 am - 7 pm

The Thursday before the Hall of Fame Game (August 6th) and Enshrinement Saturday (August 8th) are two of the busiest days to visit the museum, so if you're not a big fan of crowds, maybe another day during Enshrinement Week might be a little easier. If you've never been before, you'll want to dedicate some time to reading and seeing everything about the history of professional football, and of course, leave a little extra time to explore the gift shop.

Our tip? Arrive a day early or stay late and plan a visit during the early part of the week or following the Enshrinement Week events. That may help you get extra time to spend at your favorite exhibits and learn more about the history of the founding of professional football, find your favorite player in the Gallery, and experience the Game For Life holographic show!

After the Enshrinement event on Saturday, the next day, the Class of 2026 bronze busts will officially be placed inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame Gallery. This could be a wonderful time to go, and it's special to see the new busts in place. Spend Sunday afternoon exploring the museum after a full weekend of fun events, grab a gift from the store, and see the new inductees to the Hall of Fame's busts and explore the breathtaking Gallery as you wind down an unforgettable Enshrinement Week!

Want some NFL Swag?

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has a ONE-STOP GIFT SHOP for the football fan in your life. It's the only place you can grab team merchandise from any of the 32 NFL teams in one store. Talk about cool!

Mobility Aids

No matter where you park there will be more ground to cover before making it into the stadium, museum, and other event venues. Plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get to and from events. If anyone in your travel party has mobility challenges consider bringing orthopedic aids and/or a wheelchair as needed.

Dress for the Weather & The Event

Keep in mind the weather is a factor for outdoor events. Check the forecast and dress accordingly, rain or shine. For outdoor events like the Grand Parade and the Enshrinement itself, we recommend applying sunscreen and knowing where to head for a drink of water. For the Grand Parade, bringing your own drinks is highly recommended.

No matter what event you're attending, a football jersey and team gear is always in the dress code, but some events, like the Fashion Show and the Gold Jacket Dinner, call for a little flare — you will see everything from sundresses and khaki pants to formal gowns and suits! The Unscripted & Tailgate are a little less formal.

NFL BAG POLICY

Going to the Game, Enshrinement Ceremony, or Concert for Legends? Remember you must follow the NFL Stadium Bag Policy, so only bring what you need to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in an officially licensed Hall of Fame or NFL logo bag (clear, this is key!), a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag, or a small clutch purse that is no larger than the size of a hand. (About 4.5" by 6.5" and smaller!) The clutch or small bag of that size does not need to be clear, but other bags do.

From the official NFL Stadium Policy

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: coolers* (unless medically necessary), briefcases, non-clear backpacks, non-clear fanny packs, diaper bags* (unless medically necessary), non-clear cinch bags, non-approved seat cushions* (unless medically necessary), luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera or binocular bags or any non-clear bag larger than the permissible size (4.5" x 6.5")

There will be bag checks and security staff work to ensure the safety and fun of everyone attending, so consider carefully what you'll need!

Parking Information for Events at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium & Hall of Fame Village Campus

During Enshrinement Week, general admission parking on the Hall of Fame Village campus will be available for purchase for the Hall of Fame Game, Enshrinement Ceremony, and Concert for Legends.

On Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, public parking is available starting at 8:00 AM at the Stark County Fairgrounds. Set your GPS to 719 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton, 44708. Use the FREE Hall of Fame Shuttle for transportation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Updated 7/8/2026