PHOENIX – The Patriots will soon be coming to a TV near you.
According to the NFL Network, Patriots will be featured on HBO’s long-running documentary series, Hard Knocks, in 2027. The Seattle Seahawks will be featured this summer.
This marks the first time in franchise history that the Patriots will be featured on the documentary series, which follows one NFL team during training camp. Each season is produced in conjunction with NFL Films and streamed on HBO.
Last summer, the Buffalo Bills were featured.
Last year, the league revised the rule on which teams are eligible for the show. Over the last two years, the Patriots weren’t eligible because they had a first-year head coach. Teams can’t be featured more than once in the previous eight seasons.
Under the old rules, NFL teams could turn down Hard Knocks if they made the playoffs at any point over the past two seasons. Under the previous rules, it was easy for the Patriots to turn down the show – especially during their dynastic run.
Now, they don’t have a choice, and in two years, a camera crew will descend on Foxborough to follow the Patriots in training camp following the 2026 NFL season.
On Monday, Robert Kraft met with the local media in Phoenix at the NFL’s Annual Meetings. After back-to-back 4-win seasons, the Patriots’ owner was happy to be back in the playoffs and the Super Bowl.
“Well, last season was great,” Kraft said. “… I think actually the team way overachieved what any of us thought would happen. And it was wonderful. And winning that championship game in Denver, when we have such a past history of difficulty winning in Denver, it was very special and I’m so proud of this team. And most of them are still young.”
Coming off a loss in Super Bowl 60, the Patriots will soon turn their attention to the 2026 season. On Monday, Kraft tempered expectations.
“Yeah, we have a pretty tough schedule. I think the hardest schedule, a lot of west coast travel,” Kraft said. “You know, my objective every year is to make the playoffs. And as we saw last year, when you’re privileged to make the playoffs, anything can happen.”
What happens next season will then lead to the Patriots appearing on HBO’s Hard Knocks for the first time.