Big Brother UK 2026 is set to return on Sunday, September 13, with a 9pm BST premiere on ITV. This season will be the longest in the show’s ITV history, spanning 54 days with 47 episodes. This marks the highest number of episodes since 2017 and promises an extended period of drama and competition. The show will be hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, with contestants vying for a £100,000 prize. The series will be available to watch for free on ITVX, the UK’s online streaming platform. For international viewers, accessing ITVX may require the use of a virtual private network (VPN), which allows users to mask their location and bypass regional restrictions. NordVPN is one service recommended for this purpose, enabling fans outside the UK to follow the show as it unfolds. Alongside the main series, a new companion show titled Big Brother: The Group Chat will debut. Hosted by former housemate Kate Lawler and social media influencer GK Barry, the show will air Sunday to Thursday on ITV2, immediately following each new episode. It will also be released as a podcast. Kate Lawler described the opportunity as a “full-circle moment,” while GK Barry called it a “dream come true,” highlighting their excitement about being involved in the show’s new format. The housemates for the 2026 season have not yet been officially announced. However, content creators known as The Bov Boys will give a 24-hour preview of the new set through a live stream on platforms like Twitch, ITV Reality, and YouTube. With its extended run, the season is expected to feature more challenges, evictions, and unexpected twists. Housemates will aim to mirror the success of Richard Storry, the oldest winner in the UK’s civilian Big Brother series history.