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June 25 (UPI) -- The NFL on Thursday canceled the Hall of Fame Game preseason clash between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers due to the coronavirus pandemic. The game had been scheduled for Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio. The cancellation marks the first time the NFL has canceled a game due to the pandemic. The league made its first pandemic-related schedule alteration in May when it moved four international games back to the United States.
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The 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony -- scheduled for Aug. 8 -- has been postponed until Aug. 5 to 9, 2021.
"The health and safety of our Hall of Famers, fans and volunteers who make enshrinement week so special remains our top priority," said David Baker, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"The Hall will honor the centennial class of 2020 next August, along with what promises to be an equally spectacular class of 2021, as part of a multi-day celebration of football with an atmosphere that will deliver for fans twice the fun in '21."
NFL team facilities remained closed to players but training camps are scheduled to open in late July. The Hall of Fame game is the first preseason game on the NFL's annual schedule.
The Steelers and Cowboys will keep their preseason matchup for an Aug. 5, 2021, Hall of Fame Game. The Hall of Fame said tickets for that matchup this year sold out 22 minutes after they went on sale in March.
NFL owners plan to hold a conference call Thursday about the pandemic.
The first game on the new preseason schedule is now between the Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles at 7 p.m. EDT Aug. 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
