In 2024, HBO’s “Hard Knocks” will undergo a significant format change as approved by NFL owners. The in-season version of the show will now focus on four teams within a single division, marking a departure from the previous three-team format. This change aims to minimize disruption for teams participating in the regular season and ensure that no team gains an advantage from being featured on the show.
The in-season version of “Hard Knocks” first debuted in 2021 and included teams such as the Cardinals, Colts, and Dolphins. With the new rule in place, the show will now feature four teams within one division. The specific division for 2024 has yet to be announced, but teams can now decline participation if they have a first-year head coach, are slated for the in-season show in the upcoming season or the following year, or have been featured on “Hard Knocks” in the past eight years.
Previously, teams could decline participation if they had made the playoffs in the past two seasons. However, this rule has been eliminated. Additionally, the time span for teams to avoid participation due to previous appearances on the show has been reduced from 10 to 8 years. These changes aim to increase the pool of eligible teams for the show and make each season more exciting for viewers.
The new rules are expected to bring more variety and excitement to “Hard Knocks.” With more teams now eligible for both preseason and in-season versions and an entire division focused solely on these four teams, viewers can look forward to an engaging and dynamic season of behind-the-scenes access into some of football’s most exciting organizations.