Canton, Ohio, December 31, 2025
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the 15 finalists for the Class of 2026, including prominent figures from the NFL like Drew Brees, Eli Manning, and Larry Fitzgerald. The selection committee will meet before Super Bowl LX to choose up to five players for enshrinement. The announcement of the Class of 2026 will take place during the NFL Honors ceremony, with the induction scheduled for August in Canton, Ohio.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Announces 15 Finalists for Class of 2026
New York, NY – The Pro Football Hall of Fame has unveiled the 15 finalists for the Class of 2026, featuring a distinguished group of former NFL players vying for enshrinement in Canton. The list includes notable figures such as quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning, wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Reggie Wayne, and kicker Adam Vinatieri.
Modern-Era Player Finalists
- Willie Anderson, Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Drew Brees, Quarterback – 2001-2005 San Diego Chargers, 2006-2020 New Orleans Saints
- Jahri Evans, Guard – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Larry Fitzgerald, Wide Receiver – 2004-2020 Arizona Cardinals
- Frank Gore, Running Back – 2005-2014 San Francisco 49ers, 2015-2017 Indianapolis Colts, 2018 Miami Dolphins, 2019 Buffalo Bills, 2020 New York Jets
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker – 2012-2019 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, Quarterback – 2004-2019 New York Giants
- Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End – 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Kevin Williams, Defensive Tackle – 2003-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014 Seattle Seahawks, 2015 New Orleans Saints
- Jason Witten, Tight End – 2003-2017, 2019 Dallas Cowboys, 2020 Las Vegas Raiders
- Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle – 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
Selection Process and Announcement
The Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee will convene prior to Super Bowl LX to deliberate on these finalists. Up to five Modern-Era Players may be elected, each requiring a minimum of 80% approval from the committee. The Class of 2026 will be publicly announced on February 5 during the “NFL Honors” ceremony in San Francisco, airing on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NFL+. Enshrinement is scheduled for August in Canton, Ohio.
Additional Categories
In addition to the Modern-Era Player Finalists, the Hall of Fame has also announced finalists in other categories:
- Seniors Category Finalists: Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood
- Coach Category Finalist: Bill Belichick
- Contributor Category Finalist: Robert Kraft
Voting for these categories is conducted separately, with a minimum of one and a maximum of three individuals eligible for election from this combined group. The final selection process aligns with the Hall of Fame’s mission to honor the greatest of the game, preserve its history, promote its values, and celebrate excellence together.
Background
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 will be announced at “NFL Honors” in San Francisco in February and enshrined in August in Canton. The selection process involves multiple stages, beginning with an initial list of 128 nominees, which was narrowed down to 52 semifinalists and then to the current 15 finalists. This rigorous process ensures that only the most deserving individuals are enshrined, reflecting their significant contributions to the sport of football.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is an institution dedicated to honoring the greatest players, coaches, and contributors in the history of professional football. Located in Canton, Ohio, it serves as a museum and shrine to the sport’s legends.
How are Hall of Fame finalists selected?
Finalists are selected through a multi-stage process. Initially, a list of nominees is compiled, which is then narrowed down to semifinalists and finally to the list of finalists. The Selection Committee reviews these finalists and votes to determine who will be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
When will the Class of 2026 be announced?
The Class of 2026 will be announced on February 5 during the “NFL Honors” ceremony in San Francisco. The enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for August in Canton, Ohio.
Who are the finalists for the Class of 2026?
The finalists include notable figures such as quarterbacks Drew Brees and Eli Manning, wide receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Reggie Wayne, and kicker Adam Vinatieri, among others.
What is the selection process for Modern-Era Players?
The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2026. Each candidate must receive a minimum of 80% approval from the committee to be elected.
Key Features of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalists
| Player | Position | Teams | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willie Anderson | Tackle | Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens | 1996-2007, 2008 |
| Drew Brees | Quarterback | San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints | 2001-2005, 2006-2020 |
| Jahri Evans | Guard | New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers | 2006-2016, 2017 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | Wide Receiver | Arizona Cardinals | 2004-2020 |
| Frank Gore | Running Back | San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets | 2005-2014, 2015-2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| Torry Holt | Wide Receiver | St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars | 1999-2008, 2009 |
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