NFL preseason began on August 1, and football fever is returning in full effect. As a result, a new portion of “Hard Knocks” isn’t far off, either. The difference this year is that “Hard Knocks” came sooner than ever before, giving us a glimpse into the New York Giants‘ offseason. From Brian Daboll’s weight loss to Saquon Barkley’s exit to a division rival, fans got access into the comings and goings of the early summer.
The show set out to provide an inside look into six different teams, and now it’s down to five. Next up is the Chicago Bears.
Here’s everything you’ll need to know about the 2024 “Hard Knocks” series.
Hard Knocks Premiere Dates
- Date: Tuesday, Aug. 8 (Training camp), Tuesday, Dec. 3 (In-season)
- Time: 9 p.m. ET
- Channel: HBO
- Streaming Options: Max
How To Watch ‘Hard Knocks’ on HBO
“Hard Knocks” is available to subscribers on any device or smart TV that the Max app is downloaded on. An ad-free subscription starts at $19.99 per month, or you can get an ad-supported subscription for $9.99 per month.
If you’re watching on cable, you’ll need an HBO subscription, or you’ll need to have HBO a part of your existing cable package.
Which Teams Will Be Featured on ‘Hard Knocks’ in 2024?
In 2024, there will be three different editions of “Hard Knocks”: An offseason edition, a training camp edition, and an in-season edition.
The normal training camp edition of the series will feature the Chicago Bears in 2024. Every season, the NFL can force a team to appear on the show if they don’t meet specific criteria. If they meet any of the following, they can decline to appear on the show:
- They have a first-year head coach in place.
- They’ve had a playoff berth in the past two seasons.
- They’ve appeared on “Hard Knocks” in the past 10 years.
The Bears, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints were all eligible. However, the Bears were chosen and are embracing their selection with excitement, something the New York Jets shied away from in 2023. (Quick tangent: A former Rams equipment manager told Pro Football Network that he applauded Saleh for refraining Hard Knocks staff from recording players getting cut.)
MORE: Matt Eberflus Says Bears Very Excited About “Hard Knocks”
Fans will be able to follow the development of No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. They’ll also get to evaluate how all of the new additions are fitting in for one of the NFL’s most improved teams, such as Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, D’Andre Swift, and more.
Finally, the in-season edition of “Hard Knocks” will feature an entire division in 2024, the AFC North.
As arguably the best division in football, the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns will all be followed by cameras throughout the season. Fans will get to see the four rivals battle it out, face adversity, and compete for a playoff spot, division title, and Super Bowl.
How Many Episodes Is ‘Hard Knocks?’
Five episodes will be included in the training camp “Hard Knocks” series.
KEEP READING: Ranking the 10 Best “Hard Knocks” Seasons of All Time
Mirroring the preseason schedule normally, the show attempts to provide fans with insight into each week as the season approaches.
The in-season edition usually includes eight or nine episodes.
When Does ‘Hard Knocks’ Air Each Week?
“Hard Knocks” airs on Tuesday evenings at 9 p.m. ET in July, August, and December.
Tuesdays are chosen because the NFL’s usual preseason schedule has teams playing games Thursday through Sunday in August, meaning the NFL can provide additional content on Tuesdays.