
Seahawks and Patriots to headline upcoming hard knocks seasons
Seahawks and Patriots to headline upcoming hard knocks seasons
- The NFL has predetermined the featured teams for the next two Hard Knocks seasons.
- Seattle Seahawks will appear in 2026, followed by the New England Patriots in 2027.
- This unprecedented decision aims to capitalize on the recent popularity of both teams after their Super Bowl LX matchup.
Story
The National Football League (NFL) has made a historic announcement regarding the upcoming seasons of its popular docuseries, Hard Knocks. For the first time in the show's long-standing history, which spans over two decades, the league has disclosed the featured teams two years in advance. The Seattle Seahawks have been chosen as the subject for the 2026 season, while the New England Patriots will be showcased in the 2027 season. This marks a significant moment as neither team has previously participated in the show. The announcement has created a buzz among fans, especially considering that both teams reached Super Bowl LX, where they faced off against each other. The game took place on February 8, 2026, and attracted an impressive audience, with over 125 million viewers tuning in to watch the Seahawks defeat the Patriots. This unprecedented viewership further also underscores the heightened interest in these two franchises, which the NFL hopes to capitalize on through the Hard Knocks format. In the past, the NFL employed a policy exempting teams from being considered for Hard Knocks if they had participated in the playoffs in the two seasons leading up to the show. However, that policy has since been lifted, allowing teams like the Seahawks and Patriots, both recent playoff competitors, to be featured. Hard Knocks has also evolved in recent years with the introduction of in-season documentaries, which provide insights not just in the summer training camps, but also into the heart of the regular season gameplay. With the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots gearing up to appear in upcoming seasons, fans anticipate a compelling and engaging experience that documents the inner workings of both organizations. This move reflects the NFL's ongoing strategy to diversify and enhance the viewing experience of its fans, by offering a glimpse into the preparation and mindset of these powerful teams throughout critical moments in their respective franchises.