Your Insider's Guide to Enshrinement Week in Canton

While Enshrinement Week is full of time-honored traditions, there are also a lot of new highlights in 2023!

• 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. Check out what's new in Hall of Fame Village
  
• It's time to look up at the sky for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Balloon Classic at Kent State University at Stark Campus Friday, July 28-Saturday, July 30. For the first time ever, the public can purchase tickets for tethered balloon rides offered Friday and Saturday evenings. Guests are encouraged to pre-register for their preferred time.
  
• The Budweiser Clydesdales will be calling Canton home from July 26-August 6, and you will have the opportunity to see them daily from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM at Kent State University at Stark Campus. The famous horses will also be making appearances throughout the community, and everyone will enjoy Full Hitch appearances at the Balloon Classic and down Cleveland Avenue for the Canton Repository Grand Parade.
  
• The Hall of Fame Village presents First Down Fest from Thursday, August 3 through Saturday, August 5 at the ForeverLawn Sports Complex. Purchase daily admission tickets to enjoy family activities, live music, food trucks, drink specials, and more. You can upgrade your experience with VIP tickets that include the all-you-can-enjoy buffet and private bar access.
  
• Enjoy mimosas and boutique shopping with the 720 MKT before the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival Fashion Show Luncheon. See the hottest fashions from 20 northeast Ohio stores and a special feature of Cleveland-based fashion influencer, Aimon Ali, and her high-end collection of diverse fashions and models. Guests will also enjoy entertainment by Humble G The Fiddla.
  
• New to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week in 2023 will be “Rock the Lot: Concert & Cars featuring J.T. Hodges,” on Saturday, August 5th. The country-themed concert, which will begin at 3:30 PM, will be highlighted by fan-favorite cars, local talent and an artist nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award. Admission is free for all fans.

If you are traveling with children, there are events specially made for the kids that you do NOT want to miss! Register for the Play Football Skills Camp and learn from the best to ever have played the game! This free event is on Tuesday, August 1st for children ages 10-14. Then, Wednesday, August 2nd, kids can help kick off football season at Play Football “First Play” presented by Panini. At 10:00 AM thousands of children will come together to form a human chain, passing a football along the three-mile route from the location in downtown Canton where the National Football League was founded to the front steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame! Afterward, enjoy admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and activities on the campus of Hall of Fame Village.

Pigskin’s Pals: Families with children ages 2 to 12 can enjoy exclusive discounts and special activities through the Pigskin’s Pals program. Named for Pigskin, the Visit Canton mascot, the program offers special rates for children to experience attractions like the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, the MAPS Air Museum, Canton Art Museum, the Troll Hole Museum, and other unique local experiences.

Canton's First Friday on August 4th is one of the biggest celebrations of the year. The monthly celebration in the heart of downtown Canton is electrified with visitors from all over the country coming together to celebrate football! Enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, and outdoor entertainment.

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 2023 as they receive their Gold Jackets on Friday, August 4th at the Canton Memorial Civic Center during the Gold Jacket Dinner. Not only will you see the Class of 2023, but over 100 Hall of Famers return every year for the “gauntlet” welcoming the new members into their fraternity. It’s a world-class experience that you can only experience in person here in Canton!

• The Canton Repository Grand Parade may be at 8:00 AM, but getting up early is so worth the experience! The 2023 Class of Enshrinees ride down the parade route, just inches away from you! Enjoy seeing many returning Hall of Famers and other football greats, entertaining floats, marching bands, balloons, and special guest appearances!

• Hall of Famer Walk: Fans will have the special opportunity to witness a gathering of the greatest in the game of football at this photo op in Centennial Plaza. Get there early to capture the moment all returning Hall of Famers are photographed along with the newest inductees, the Class of 2023. They all come together for their first photo at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 4th in downtown Canton.

• Enshrinement is the can't miss event of the week! The night is sure to range from emotional to hilarious as the Class of 2023 accepts their place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, unveiling their official bronze busts in front of family, friends, teammates, mentors, and ultimate FANS!

• Another favorite, up close and personal experience is the Enshrinees' Roundtable. 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.

• If an autograph is your ultimate goal, the official autograph sessions are your best bet. Tickets for the Class of 2023 Autograph Session are on sale. The Returning Hall of Famer Autograph Session presented by Panini will be Saturday, August 5th from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM. Be sure to check back before Hall of Fame Weekend for a complete list of participating Hall of Famers, times and prices.

• The Midwest Sports Spectacular is back at the Belden Village Mall in Canton during Hall of Fame Enshrinement weekend Thursday, August 3rd-Sunday, August 6th! You do not want to miss out on this opportunity to get an autograph from one of your all-time favorite sports players!

You have been waiting all year to come to Canton, now is your time to visit the 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.

What's the best day to visit the museum over Enshrinement Week? On Sunday, the Class of 2023 bronze busts will officially be placed inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame Gallery. Spend Sunday afternoon exploring the museum after a full weekend of fun events!

Check out special museum hours during Enshrinement Week.

• Prepare to navigate on the ground. 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. Keep in mind the weather is a factor for outdoor events. Check the forecast and dress accordingly, rain or shine. 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!

• 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, a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag, or a small women’s clutch that is no larger than the size of a woman’s hand.
  

Thursday | August 3rd

No parking at the Pro Football Hall of Fame or Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Public parking is available at 7:00 AM at the Stark County Fairgrounds which is located minutes away. Set your GPS to 719 Wertz Ave NW, Canton, OH 44708. Use the Hall of Fame shuttle for transportation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Parking is $25 per car and $200 per RV. For RV parking information please email office@starkcountyfairgrounds.com.

Free shuttle available from Fairgrounds to Hall of Fame Campus

Friday | August 4th

No Stark County Fairgrounds parking. Limited public parking is available near Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Set your GPS to 1779 Champions Gateway NW, Canton, OH 44708.

Saturday | August 5th

No parking at the Pro Football Hall of Fame or Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Public parking is available at 7:00 AM at the Stark County Fairgrounds which is located minutes away. Set your GPS to 719 Wertz Ave NW, Canton, OH 44708. Use the Hall of Fame shuttle for transportation to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Parking is $25 per car and $200 per RV. For RV parking information please email office@starkcountyfairgrounds.com.

Free shuttle available from Fairgrounds to Hall of Fame Campus

Updated 7/13/2023