What is the schedule for Big Brother 2026? When to watch

AJ Odudu and Will Best will return as hosts as a new group of housemates move into the redesigned Big Brother house.

On the opening night, viewers will see this year’s contestants enter the house for the first time.

What is the schedule for Big Brother 2026?

Big Brother returns tonight on ITV2 at 9pm, with new episodes airing from Sunday to Thursday at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

This means there will be five main-show episodes each week.

ITV has confirmed the 2026 run will be longer than previous editions shown on the channel.

Reports suggest the finale could be on Thursday, November 5, although ITV has not officially confirmed that date.

A new companion programme will also be shown after each main episode.

Big Brother: The Group Chat will air from Sunday to Thursday immediately after Big Brother on ITV2, ITVX and YouTube.

Former Big Brother winner Kate Lawler and GK Barry will host the programme.

It will include discussion about events in the house, as well as interviews with evicted housemates, celebrity fans and guests.

Before the series begins, content creators The Bov Boys, who include Angryginge, will move into the house for a 24-hour livestreamed “dry run”.

The exercise will offer an early look at the redesigned building before the official launch. It is also described as a first for the programme.

Who are the housemates in Big Brother 2026?

The full list of housemates has not been revealed.

Viewers will find out who is taking part during the launch programme, as the contestants enter the house for the first time.

Big Brother has, however, released a first look at the new house for this year’s series.

First pictures show dark maroon-red, blue, green and wood tones across the rooms.

The Diary Room chair will again use the programme’s eye logo shape.

Further details about the contestants, including their names and backgrounds, are expected as the launch takes place.

The series will include tasks, nominations, evictions and events involving the housemates.

The 2026 series follows three main ITV editions shown in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The programme originally aired on Channel 4, and later Channel 5, before ITV Studios reached a deal with Banijay, which owns the rights, to revive it in 2023 after five years away.

When is Celebrity Big Brother returning?

Celebrity Big Brother was shelved for 2026 and is now unlikely to return in 2027, according to a report in The Sun.

The celebrity programme had two series after the ITV revival, in 2024 and 2025, with David Potts winning the first, while Jack P Shepherd won the second.

Reports said the celebrity version could return in 2027, but this is now in doubt.

The Sun reported that staff working behind the scenes were “already operating on the basis that it won’t be coming back”.

An ITV spokesperson said previously: “Big Brother returns to ITVX and ITV2 later this year.

“No decisions have been made for 2027 as yet.”

Reports have linked the decision about Celebrity Big Brother to difficulties signing celebrities.

The Sun said stars were increasingly seeking places on The Celebrity Traitors, creating competition for programmes that depend on celebrity contestants.

ITV is also expected to find contestants for I’m A Celebrity and its reported spin-off, The Wild Frontier, which may air in early 2027.

For now, viewers can watch the main Big Brother series from tonight, with episodes running five nights a week until the end of the run.

Will you be watching the new series of Big Brother? Let us know in the comments.