Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium: Everything you need to know about Panthers vs Cardinals venue

The Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium has hosted the ceremonial return of football since 1962.

This year, the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers have the honor.

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While many of the top stars will be kept out of harm’s way this early in preseason, rookie quarterback Carson Beck will start for the Cards, while Mike Tomlin is making his debut for NBC Sports’ football coverage.

Here is everything you need to know about the stadium.

Why is the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton?

The American Professional Football Association was founded in Canton Ohio in September 1920, before changing its name to the National Football League in 1922.

Its Canton Bulldogs dominated in the leagues early years thanks to superstars like Jim Thorpe — of the game’s first greats.

The Bulldogs played at League Field, which had a capacity of 8,000.

After successfully lobbying the NFL, the city of Canton built the original Hall of Game building thanks to $400,000 being raised by the community.

It opened in 1963 as part of a complex which included what was then Fawcett Stadium.

Costing $500,000, it was designed to replace Leagues Field and opened in 1939.

What teams play at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium?

The artificial turf is not wasted for the rest of the year, with Canton McKinley High School using the arena for home games.

It also hosted Malone University from 1993 to 2018 and Walsh University from 1998 to 2022.

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How many fans can fit in the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium?

There is room for 23,000 fans, as well as an exclusive 250-guest terrace, luxury hospitality suites and a VIP lounge.

The media is also taken care of with an NFL-standard press box.

Who is the stadium named after?

The stadium began life as Fawcett Stadium to honor John A. Fawcett — a Canton board of education member, who died before it was completed.

In 2017, former New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson donated $11 million to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with $10 million going towards renovating the stadium and it was renamed after him.

He passed away a year later, leaving his mark on one of the most iconic sites in football.

The renovation as part of a $200 million project to improve the entire complex.

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Phase II of the expansion is ongoing with a Constellation Center for Excellence being built to house research and programming initiatives.

A 147,000-square-foot, football-themed water park, seven-story hotel and retail promenade are also being planned.