Big Brother Australia 2026: October Return on 10, Host Mel Tracina, New Brisbane House and How to Watch
For months the only word on Big Brother's 2026 season was "coming". That changed last week, when 10 finally put a month on it.
The show returns in October 2026 on 10 and 10Play. There's a new house in Brisbane and Mel Tracina is hosting, but the premiere date still isn't public, as of Monday 14 September.
- Confirmed: October, 10 and 10Play, Mel Tracina, a new Brisbane house.
- Not confirmed: the start date, the nights and the time slot.
- Last season ran Sunday to Friday at 7.30pm from 9 November 2025.
When does Big Brother Australia 2026 start?
Some time in October. Mediaweek reported on 8 September that 10 had locked in the month and the Brisbane location, but "the exact date" hadn't been confirmed. Variety Australia's report says the same thing.
We'll write the start date here the day 10 announces it. Until then, anyone quoting a specific night is guessing.
What nights will Big Brother be on?
10 hasn't said. The only guide we have is last year: the 2025 season premiered on Sunday 9 November and ran Sunday to Friday at 7.30pm, 26 episodes in all, finishing on 8 December according to TVmaze.
| 2025 season (aired) | 2026 season | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 10 and 10Play | 10 and 10Play |
| Start | Sun 9 Nov 2025 | October 2026, date TBC |
| Nights | Sunday to Friday | Not announced |
| Time | 7.30pm | Not announced |
| Episodes | 26 | Not announced |
| House | — | New house in Brisbane |
October also puts the launch right on top of the daylight saving change on 4 October. If the show goes out live at 7.30pm in Sydney, that's 6.30pm on a Brisbane clock, which is awkward for a Brisbane-based show. Nobody has said how 10 will handle it.
Who is hosting Big Brother 2026?
Mel Tracina. Mediaweek named her as host back in April, when 10 first confirmed a 2026 season.
Will Big Brother have live evictions and a live feed?
10 has described the 2026 season as leaning on live moments, with nominations and evictions happening in real time. That's the format that separates Big Brother from the pre-recorded shows it will be competing with.
What 10 hasn't detailed is the feed itself. We don't yet know whether a 24/7 stream will sit free on 10Play, how many hours a day it'll run, or whether it'll be delayed for Perth. Those details normally arrive in the launch week.
The official Big Brother Australia YouTube channel has been posting audition-tape clips tagged #BBAUdition since late August, alongside old 2005 episodes. The teaser above went up on 9 September.
How can I watch Big Brother Australia 2026?
On free-to-air, it'll be channel 10. Online, 10Play is the home for the live channel and catch-up, and it's free with a 10Play account. If you're outside Australia, 10Play is geo-restricted.
What else is coming to Australian reality TV?
Two big returns are further off. Australian Survivor's "Rivals" season is set for 2027 with no date, and Married at First Sight season 14 is filming now, with Nine yet to lock in a premiere. We track both under Australian Survivor and MAFS.
In the meantime, the two shows actually on air are The Block and The Voice. Our Block guide has times for every state and the Voice finals page tracks the semi-final and grand final dates.
What about Australian Survivor and MAFS?
Both have confirmed seasons but no premiere dates. TV Blackbox reported on 6 September that Australian Survivor: Rivals will air on 10 in 2027, with David Genat hosting, filmed in Malaysia, and 24 castaways competing in 12 pairs. The cast was announced the next day.
Married at First Sight season 14 is filming now. New Idea reported in August that production is expected to run until November 2026 and that early February 2027 is the likely launch, while noting Nine hadn't locked in a date.
So the order of returns looks like this: Big Brother in October, then Survivor and MAFS some time in 2027. The Block's auction, expected late October or early November, will likely overlap Big Brother's first weeks.
How will we cover Big Brother 2026?
Once 10 sets the date, we'll publish nightly times in AEST and AEDT, a morning-after page for every live eviction, and a weekly schedule each Saturday. If the feed goes live on 10Play, we'll note its hours too.
FAQ
Is Big Brother on Channel 10 or Seven this year?
10. The show has been with 10 since the 2025 revival.
Where is the Big Brother house in 2026?
Brisbane. 10 hasn't released the suburb.
How do I apply?
10 hasn't published an open application for this season on its Big Brother page, so check 10.com.au/big-brother rather than third-party casting sites.
See what's on this week in our 14–20 September schedule, or browse all Big Brother coverage.