**Gladiators Sets to Thrill Audiences Again with 2026 Series and Celebrity Special**
Fans of high-octane action and spectacular feats of strength can rejoice as the BBC has announced that ‘Gladiators’ will return for a brand-new series in 2026, accompanied by a much-anticipated celebrity special. The beloved competition, which has captivated viewers since its revival, promises even more adrenaline-fuelled challenges as seasoned Gladiators face off against a new wave of contenders.
Hosted by the father-and-son partnership of Bradley and Barney Walsh, the series retains the classic appeal of the original while adding a fresh, dynamic energy. The presenting duo have earned praise for their approachable style, which has helped attract audiences across the generations. With the BBC’s recommissioning, Gladiators continues its comeback as a centrepiece for Saturday night family entertainment.
The format remains rooted in a series of dramatic contests where elite athletes—dubbed ‘Gladiators’—demonstrate physical prowess and push competitors to their limits. Audiences in 2026 can look forward to the return of iconic figures like Apollo, Athena, Comet, Cyclone and Diamond, as well as crowd favourites such as Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury and The Giant. Veterans Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel and Viper will also rejoin the line-up, ensuring that fan favourites are back for another season of intense competition.
Adding even more excitement, the next series will include a one-hour celebrity special, inviting four familiar faces to compete for glory within the historic Sheffield arena. Details of which celebrities will compete remain under wraps, but the anticipation is high, both from seasoned fans and those experiencing Gladiators for the first time.
The BBC’s Head of Entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, commented on the programme’s enduring appeal, saying: “Audiences have loved getting together to watch our mighty Gladiators take on contenders from all across the UK, with younger fans especially excited to cheer on their Saturday night superheroes. With this brand-new series and another celebrity special confirmed there will be even more epic battles, more high-octane action and of course even more foam fingers than ever before for everyone to look forward to.”
The current era of Gladiators, brought to screens by Hungry Bear Media, has already crowned champions who have become household names. In last year’s series, Army officer Finlay Anderson and fitness trainer Marie-Louise Nicholson emerged victorious, while more recently, gym owner Amanda Wah and gymnastics coach Joe Fishburn were named the champions for 2025. The show’s ability to create relatable heroes out of everyday Britons is a testament to its ongoing cultural relevance.
Dan Baldwin, managing director at Hungry Bear Media, echoed the widespread enthusiasm, remarking: “We have been absolutely blown away by the reception Gladiators has received from families up and down the country. It has become a huge part of Saturday night viewing on the BBC. We are extremely excited to deliver another series, so expect even more spandex, hairspray, protein shakes and fake tan this summer in Sheffield.”
Historically, Gladiators premiered on ITV in the early 1990s and ran for eight years, quickly establishing itself as appointment television before being cancelled in 2000. A brief revival on Sky took place between 2008 and 2009, before the programme found a new home with its BBC reimagining, which struck a chord with long-time followers and newcomers alike.
The upcoming series will consist of eleven hour-long episodes, in addition to the singular celebrity special—ensuring an extended run of the thrills, spills and jaw-dropping moments that viewers have come to expect. For those who cannot wait, all episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer, making it easier than ever to relive past contests or catch up on the action.
With Gladiators returning for another season, a new chapter unfolds for one of Britain’s most iconic game shows. Its blend of nostalgia, athletic achievement and crowd-pleasing spectacle looks set to continue inspiring viewers across the country—proving that, in the arena of Saturday night television, the Gladiators’ spirit endures.