Hard Knocks 2026: Schedule, start time, TV info, what to watch as viral show follows Seahawks preseason after Super Bowl LX win
The NFL preseason is underway, which means that it is time for HBO's "Hard Knocks." The annual TV show follows one team through the preseason, starting with their first preseason game and through roster cuts.
HBO's show used to be a fan favorite when viewers would get acquainted with late-round draft picks or UDFAs to root for during training camp. The show has recently focused more on star players, losing that underdog storyline, but this season will take a slightly different approach.
Usually, there are certain criteria a team must meet to be eligible for "Hard Knocks." This year, the Seattle Seahawks, coming off their Super Bowl LX victory, will be the subject of the show, and it has already been announced that next season will follow the New England Patriots.
This season will offer plenty of storylines for fans to keep an eye on as they follow along with the Super Bowl champs.
The Seahawks let running back Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency, and he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Seattle then used its first-round pick to select Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price as his replacement while former second-round pick Zach Charbonnet continues to recover from a torn ACL suffered in the NFC championship.
The franchise made Jaxon Smith-Njigba the highest-paid wide receiver in history, putting more pressure on him to continue playing at a high level.
Sam Darnold finally completed his NFL career redemption arc. Can the 29-year-old ensure that his team doesn't go through a sophomore slump?
With a lot of intriguing storylines surrounding Seattle, here is everything you need to know about this season of "Hard Knocks."
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When does Hard Knocks 2026 begin?
The annual show tends to begin the week after the Hall of Fame game so that the team being followed has had a chance to get into training camp.
This year is a little different. The first episode will air on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and be streamed on HBO Max.
What time does Hard Knocks start?
Each week from Aug. 4 to Sept. 1, "Hard Knocks" will air at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday night.
What is the Hard Knocks 2026 schedule?
Here's the complete schedule for 'Hard Knocks' with the Seattle Seahawks.
Tuesday, Aug. 4: Season premiere, 9 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Aug. 11, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 18, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 25, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 1: Season finale, 9 p.m.
Which team was selected for Hard Knocks 2026?
The Seattle Seahawks.
Typically, teams are only eligible for "Hard Knocks" if they missed the playoffs the year prior. The NFL chose Seattle for this year's season, and the New England Patriots — who lost to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl earlier this year — for next season.
Who are the Seahawks rookies to know for Hard Knocks 2026?
Here are the Seattle rookies and when they were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Round 1 - RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame
Round 2 - S Bud Clark, TCU
Round 3 - CB Julian Neal, Arkansas
Round 5 - OG Beau Stephens, Iowa
Round 6 - WR Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Kansas
Round 7 - CB Andre Fuller, Toledo
Round 7 - DT Deven Eastern, Minnesota
Round 7 - CB Michael Dansby, Arizona
The Seahawks have also signed some undrafted free agents that will be vying for a roster or practice squad spot during training camp.
WR Rashad Rochelle
WR Kyre Duplessis
LB Devean Deal
LB Aidan Hibbard
LB Marvin Jones Jr.
TE Lance Mason
NT Uso Seumalo
Who has been on Hard Knocks in the past?
This will be the 21st season of "Hard Knocks" in the preseason.
2001 - Baltimore Ravens
2002 - Dallas Cowboys
2007 - Kansas City Chiefs
2008 - Dallas Cowboys
2009 - Cincinnati Bengals
2010 - New York Jets
2012 - Miami Dolphins
2013 - Cincinnati Bengals
2014 - Atlanta Falcons
2015 - Houston Texans
2016 - Los Angeles Rams
2017 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2018 - Cleveland Browns
2019 - Las Vegas Raiders (still in Oakland)
2020 - Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams
2021 - Dallas Cowboys
2022 - Detroit Lions
2023 - New York Jets
2024 - Chicago Bears
2025 - Buffalo Bills
HBO has also played around with some in-season and offseason iterations of the show.
2021 - Indianapolis Colts (in-season)
2022 - Arizona Cardinals (in-season)
2023 - Miami Dolphins (in-season)
2024 - New York Giants (off-season)
2024 - AFC North (in-season)
2025 - NFC East (in-season)
Who is the Hard Knocks 2026 narrator?
"Hard Knocks" has been narrated every year, except for 2007, by actor Liev Schreiber. In 2007, Paul Rudd stepped in as narrator when the show followed Rudd's favorite team, the Chiefs.
Schreiber is known for his titular role in the TV show "Ray Donovan" and as Sabretooth in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
