The 2025 NFL preseason begins with the Hall of Fame Game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers. The game will take place on Thursday, July 31, at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio, starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Both teams made it to the playoffs last season but were eliminated in the first round. In this first preseason game, most of the main starters are expected to sit out. However, quarterback Trey Lance will start for the Chargers, giving fans something to watch closely.

Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick, signed with the Chargers in free agency after two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He played one game last season, throwing for 244 yards in a Week 18 loss. This game is a chance for him to prove himself as a backup to starter Justin Herbert.

The Lions also have a quarterback battle in the spotlight. Veteran Kyle Allen and third-year player Hendon Hooker are both competing for the backup job behind Jared Goff. Allen joins Detroit as his sixth NFL team. Hooker, who missed his rookie year due to injury, played in three games last season.

Oddsmakers have listed the Lions as slight 1.5-point favorites. The total points over/under is set at 33.5, one of the lowest for an NFL game. Low scores are common in the Hall of Fame Game, with the last nine matchups all finishing under 40 points.

This year’s game holds extra meaning for Chargers fans, as legendary tight end Antonio Gates is being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His induction adds excitement to the game, especially for Los Angeles supporters.

For those interested in betting, several sportsbooks are offering promos. FanDuel, DraftKings, and Bet365 are offering $150 in bonus bets with a minimum $5 wager. However, FanDuel requires your first bet to win to get the bonus.

Other offers include BetMGM’s first-bet insurance up to $1,500 and Fanatics Sportsbook’s offer of up to $1,000 in FanCash. To qualify for Fanatics’ full bonus, users must wager $100 daily for 10 straight days.

Caesars Sportsbook is offering ten 100% profit boosts instead of bonus bets. Users only need to place a $1 bet to unlock each boost.

Responsible gaming remains important. Sportsbooks provide tools like deposit limits, activity tracking, and timeouts. They also offer support through helplines such as 1-800-GAMBLER and live chat assistance 24/7 on platforms like DraftKings and BetMGM.

As the 2025 NFL season kicks off with this preseason opener, fans can enjoy a glimpse of emerging talent and take advantage of exciting promotions from top sportsbooks.