HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ Will Follow Two Teams This Preseason

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With 2020 being unlike any other year, it’s not a surprise the upcoming season of Hard Knocks will be unlike any other. Two teams will be featured when the new season premieres August 11th, the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.

Both teams were eligible for an exemption from the series because they made the playoffs in 2018, but an agreement was reached nonetheless. The move makes sense; the two franchises are moving into a brand new shared stadium this year and, after regressing last year, the exposure could give them some positive buzz.

“We are looking forward to having Hard Knocks in our camp this year,” said Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay in HBO’s press release. “This year will be special because the show will also get an unprecedented look at SoFi Stadium, Stan Kroenke’s vision for professional football in L.A.”

Per the release, HBO cameras will capture “more than 2,300 hours of footage” between both teams.

The Rams franchise is no stranger to having cameras around. They were Hard Knocks subject in 2016 and Amazon Prime’s choice in 2017 for its All or Nothing docuseries. As for the Chargers, this year will be their first on either program.

Hard Knocks is heading into its 15th season and has won at least one Sports Emmy award every year since 2008. The demand is always there for the show come August, and last year’s ratings are proof (4.3 million per episode, per HBO).

As usual, Liev Schreiber will serve as the show’s narrator, his 14th time doing so. Paul Rudd was the only other person who narrated a season of Hard Knocks (2007).