Series synopsis
Hard Knocks is an American documentary reality television series that premiered on HBO on August 1, 2001. It was created by Marty Callner. It stars Liev Schreiber, Paul Rudd and Alec Baldwin.
An inside look at NFL training camps. From the top coaches to the rookies trying to make the team, Hard Knocks showcases what it takes to be in the NFL.
Premise
An inside look at NFL training camps. From the top coaches to the rookies trying to make the team, Hard Knocks showcases what it takes to be in the NFL.
Premise: Champions never rest.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Liev Schreiber as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Paul Rudd as Self - Narrator
- Alec Baldwin as Self - Host
Guest cast
- Ray Lewis
- Magic Johnson
- Deion Sanders
- Joe Namath
- Troy Aikman
- Jamie Foxx
- Rob Lowe
- Dennis Miller
- Michael Brockers as Self
- Mark Brunell as Self
- Dan Campbell as Self
- Caleb Williams as Self
Episodes
This series spans 20 seasons with 99 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | July 27, 2010 | August 31, 2011 |
| Season 1 | 6 | August 1, 2001 | September 5, 2001 |
| Season 2 | 6 | August 7, 2002 | September 11, 2002 |
| Season 3 | 5 | August 8, 2007 | September 5, 2007 |
| Season 4 | 5 | August 6, 2008 | September 3, 2008 |
| Season 5 | 5 | August 12, 2009 | September 9, 2009 |
| Season 6 | 5 | August 11, 2010 | September 8, 2010 |
| Season 7 | 5 | August 7, 2012 | September 4, 2012 |
| Season 8 | 5 | August 6, 2013 | September 3, 2013 |
| Season 9 | 5 | August 5, 2014 | September 2, 2014 |
| Season 10 | 5 | August 11, 2015 | September 8, 2015 |
| Season 11 | 5 | August 9, 2016 | September 6, 2016 |
| Season 12 | 5 | August 8, 2017 | September 5, 2017 |
| Season 13 | 5 | August 7, 2018 | September 4, 2018 |
| Season 14 | 5 | August 6, 2019 | September 3, 2019 |
| Season 15 | 5 | August 10, 2020 | September 8, 2020 |
| Season 16 | 5 | August 9, 2021 | September 7, 2021 |
| Season 17 | 5 | August 7, 2022 | September 6, 2022 |
| Season 18 | 5 | August 8, 2023 | September 5, 2023 |
| Season 19 | 5 | August 4, 2024 | September 3, 2024 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Countdown to Hard Knocks - Training Camp With the New York Jets Preview of the HBO series of NFL summer camps ... this year, the New York Jets before their much anticipated 2010 season ... Rex Ryan & company want to make the next step and reach the Super Bowl ... high expectations in the big apple ... with Mark Sanchez, Shonn Greene, Braylon Edwards, Nick Mangold, Darrelle Revis, Bart Scott, Kris Jenkins and the new arrivals Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie and Jason Taylor ... |
July 28, 2010 |
| 2 |
A Decade of NFL Training Camps It's been ten years since HBO Sports and NFL Films debuted 'Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens.' In the decade since, 'Hard Knocks' has gone inside the locker room of five different teams, twice with the Dallas Cowboys. Every season has provided unprecedented inside access to players and coaches from the NFL and plenty of memorable moments-from Emmitt Smith preparing for his final season, to Chad Ochocinco inventing catchphrases seemingly on the fly, and Rex Ryan's famous "Let's go get a goddamn snack" speech. |
August 31, 2011 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Training Camp With the Baltimore Ravens #1 The players from the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens leave their homes and arrive at training camp. |
August 1, 2001 |
| 2 |
Training Camp With the Baltimore Ravens #2 The practical jokes heat up at training camp. Also the team and it's coaching staff has to deal with the season ending injury of star running back Jamal Lewis. |
August 8, 2001 |
| 3 |
Training Camp With the Baltimore Ravens #3 The team begins to battle the extreme heat. The search for a new running back continues. |
August 15, 2001 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Training Camp With the Dallas Cowboys #1 New Cowboys coach Dave Campo explains his rules for training camp to the team. Several players tensions rise for a spot on the 53-man roster. There is also a look into the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders bond. |
August 7, 2002 |
| 2 |
Training Camp With the Dallas Cowboys #2 The competition heats up as preparations for the 2002 season begin in earnest. The rookies face their first live test in a scrimmage against their in-state rivals, the Houston Texans. |
August 14, 2002 |
| 3 |
Training Camp With the Dallas Cowboys #3 Dallas plays its first preseason game and for some cowboys, it's their last game. The competition for starting quarterback heats up as Quincy Carter is challenged by newcomer Chad Hutchinson. |
August 21, 2002 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs #1 The K.C. Chiefs enter training camp under coach Herm Edwards. The team must deal with a battle at the QB position, a hold out by a star player, and many players fighting for positions. |
August 8, 2007 |
| 2 |
Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs #2 The QB battle between Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle continues. 1st round pick Dwayne Bowe finally reports for camp, and the hazing begins. |
August 15, 2007 |
| 3 |
Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs #3 The coaching staff continues to struggle with picking a QB while they deal with their 2nd straight preseason loss. Training camp also moves from Wisconsin to Kansas City. |
August 22, 2007 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys #1 An Insight into the training camp of "Americas Team", the Dallas Cowboys. This episode looks at the players arriving at camp, and how a group of players, each with different experience and expectations cope with camp life. |
August 6, 2008 |
| 2 |
Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys #2 Week 2 of training camp continues. We find out where a Cowboy goes for the freshest threads? Plus, linebacker Anthony Spencer continues to impress the coaching staff. |
August 13, 2008 |
| 3 |
Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys #3 Terrell Owens shows off his leadership skills with the young wide receivers. The Cowboys travel to Denver for heated practices and a pre-season game against the Broncos. |
August 20, 2008 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 The first week of Cincinnati Bengals training camp. |
August 12, 2009 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 The second week of Cincinnati Bengals training camp. |
August 19, 2009 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The third week of Cincinnati Bengals training camp. |
August 26, 2009 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 01 In the opener of the sixth season, Jets players and coaches arrive in Cortland, N.Y., and settle in to their new quarters before beginning two-a-day drills. Included: head coach Rex Ryan sets an ambitious goal for the season; Darrelle Revis is a no-show; the first cuts are made; Marty Schottenheimer and Joe Namath visit camp. |
August 11, 2010 |
| 2 |
Episode 02 The defense struggles in the second half of the Jets' preseason opener against the Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium; WR Santonio Holmes gives advice to struggling rookie RB Joe McKnight; the fullback battle continues; Vernon Gholston impresses the coaching staff; Darrelle Revis's holdout continues. |
August 18, 2010 |
| 3 |
Episode 03 The team breaks camp in Cortland, N.Y., and heads to Charlotte to meet the Carolina Panthers in their second preseason game; Nick Mangold signs a contract extension but Darrelle Revis's holdout continues; one player suffers a severe injury in the Panthers game. |
August 25, 2010 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 01 The new identity of the Miami Dolphins under first-year head coach Joe Philbin begins to take shape as the team assembles for the start of training camp in Davie, Fla. Coaches take players through week one of on-field drills. |
August 7, 2012 |
| 2 |
Episode 02 Training camp in South Florida heats up as players and coaches look back at their first preseason game, against Tampa Bay. The game recap will include exclusive NFL Films audio and video. |
August 14, 2012 |
| 3 |
Episode 03 Coaches review the Carolina pre-season game; roster positions are evaluated; the competition for wide receiver positions heats up. |
August 21, 2012 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 01 In the eighth-season opener, the team assembles in the Queen City and kicks off training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. |
August 6, 2013 |
| 2 |
Episode 02 The Bengals travel to Atlanta and practice with the Falcons prior to their Aug. 8 meeting in the Georgia Dome. |
August 13, 2013 |
| 3 |
Episode 03 Training camp accelerates, and the Tennessee Titans of the AFC South visit Paul Brown Stadium for the Bengals' first pre-season home game. |
August 20, 2013 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 01 Head coach Mike Smith and a roster of 90 players kick off training camp in Flowery Branch, GA. Coaches take the Atlanta Falcons through the first week of on-field drills as the team prepares for the 2014 regular season in the challenging NFC South division. |
August 5, 2014 |
| 2 |
Episode 02 General manager Thomas Dimitroff outlines his view on the 2014 roster; linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is profiled; the Falcons scrimmage with the Tennessee Titans in Flowery Branch as they prep for their opening preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at the Georgia Dome. |
August 12, 2014 |
| 3 |
Episode 03 With jobs on the line, the Falcons fly to Houston to scrimmage the Texans before their second preseason game. Also: competition heats up for the backup quarterback job. |
August 19, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 01 Reigning Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and his fellow Texans kick off training camp in Houston. Head coach Bill O'Brien leads 90 players through the first week of drills, and the team travels to Virginia, where they practice against the NFC East's Washington Redskins. |
August 11, 2015 |
| 2 |
Episode 02 Rookies and veterans show some style and the team gears up for its preseason slate with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers. |
August 18, 2015 |
| 3 |
Episode 03 Jadeveon Clowney, the first pick of the 2014 draft, returns to the field after a long recovery from surgery; Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos visit NRG Stadium for the Texans' second preseason game. |
August 25, 2015 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 01 The NFL meets Hollywood as the Rams move to Los Angeles with little time to spare in their quest to build an NFL roster and establish a new tradition in Southern California. |
August 9, 2016 |
| 2 |
Episode 02 The Los Angeles Rams mark their first home game at the venerable Memorial Coliseum in more than 35 years with the preseason opener versus the Dallas Cowboys. |
August 16, 2016 |
| 3 | Episode 03 | August 23, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Former Heisman winner Jameis Winston, outspoken DeSean Jackson and Pro Bowl perennial Gerald McCoy, along with rookies and free agents, go through the first week of drills at Buccaneers training camp. |
August 8, 2017 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Third-year QB Jameis Winston displays his leadership on the field and in the locker room; kicker Roberto Aguayo learns his fate; Brent Grimes has a revealing conversation with his wife, Miko; players and coaches get game-time action as the Buccaneers travel to Cincinnati to play the Bengals. |
August 15, 2017 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Jameis Winston leads the Buccaneers to Jacksonville for practice sessions and a nationally televised preseason game with the Jaguars; competition heats up as 90 players vie for 53 roster spots. |
August 22, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Training camp begins as 90 players compete for 53 spots, but all eyes are on QB Baker Mayfield. General manager John Dorsey and head coach Hue Jackson welcome a new batch of veteran acquisitions, including QB Tyrod Taylor and receiver Jarvis Landry. |
August 7, 2018 |
| 2 | Episode 2 | August 14, 2018 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The grind and intensity of training camp produces flare-ups for both players and coaches on the practice field. The Browns play host Tyrod Taylor’s former team, the Buffalo Bills, in their second preseason game. |
August 22, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Enthusiasm is building for the 2019 Raiders. Head coach Jon Gruden, in his second season since returning to Oakland, welcomes an intriguing mix of established veterans, highly regarded rookie hopefuls and free-agent acquisitions. The big off-season signing of former Pittsburgh Steeler Pro Bowl WR Antonio Brown has everyone around the team excited. Competition in training camp will be fierce. |
August 6, 2019 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 The Los Angeles Rams visit Napa to play scrimmages against the Oakland Raiders ahead of their first preseason game. Jon Gruden reflects on hiring and mentoring Sean McVay when he was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. |
August 13, 2019 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The grind and intensity of training camp sets in at the Raiders training camp facility in Napa. The Raiders travel to Arizona to take on the Cardinals in their second preseason game. |
August 20, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
08-11-2020 On the season premiere, cameras head to southern California to chronicle preparations by the Chargers and Rams organizations as the players and coaches return to work amid the new COVID-19 protocols. |
August 11, 2020 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Veterans spend rare down time getting to know each other better and rookies push for any chance to prove themselves worthy of making the team. |
August 18, 2020 |
| 3 | Episode 3 | August 25, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Enthusiasm is building for the 2021 Cowboys as head coach Mike McCarthy, in his second season, welcomes an intriguing mix of established veterans and highly regarded rookie hopefuls. As training camp begins, all eyes are on Dak Prescott, who suffered a compound right ankle fracture and dislocation in week 5 last season. Dak also celebrates his birthday with his teammates. |
August 10, 2021 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 After an intense scrimmage against the Rams, the Cowboys get well-deserved downtime at training camp. |
August 17, 2021 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The Cowboys are welcomed back in Dallas as they prepare for action on their home turf. Plus, the rookies learn valuable lessons from the team’s top veterans. |
August 24, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Enthusiasm is building for the 2022 Lions. In his second season as Head Coach, Dan Campbell welcomes the youngest roster in the NFL back to training camp, including this year’s number two overall draft pick, Michigan native Aiden Hutchinson. |
August 9, 2022 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Week 2 of training camp sees Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell challenging his players, including first round pick Aiden Hutchinson who appears in his first NFL preseason game in front of his hometown Michigan fans. |
August 16, 2022 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 The grind and intensity of training camp sets in. The Lions travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in their second preseason game. |
August 23, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets #1 Hard Knocks heads to training camp with the New York Jets as coach Robert Saleh prepares his team — led by QB Aaron Rodgers — for the season. |
August 8, 2023 |
| 2 |
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets #2 Aaron Rodgers and the Jets travel to Carolina to practice against the Panthers and #1 overall draft pick Bryce Young. |
August 15, 2023 |
| 3 |
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets #3 Running back Dalvin Cook joins the roster as the Jets host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a joint practice in New Jersey. |
August 22, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 With expectations sky high, the Bears and #1 overall draft pick QB Caleb Williams open camp and prepare for their first preseason game. |
August 6, 2024 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Rookie stars Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze continue their progress as the team rolls into Buffalo for their second preseason game. |
August 13, 2024 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Caleb Williams makes his home debut at Soldier Field while QB Tyson Bagent and rookie punter Tory Taylor look to cement their roles on the roster. |
August 20, 2024 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO |
|---|---|
| First aired | August 1, 2001 |
| Last aired | September 2, 2025 |
| Runtime | 55 minutes |
| Status | Returning Series |
| Schedule | Tuesday at 21:00:00 |