What Date Does I'm A Celeb Start 2026

Alright, grab a flannel shirt and a protein bar, because we’re about to tackle the question that’s been haunting your group chats: What date does I’m a Celeb start in 2026? I know, I know, you’re already mentally packing your suitcase with mosquito repellent and a fake crown. But let’s slow down—I’ve done the detective work so you can plan your couch-based expedition.

Here’s the deal: ITV has not officially announced the exact date yet, because they enjoy watching us squirm like a campmate in a Bushtucker trial. However, based on the show’s sacred calendar pattern, we can make an educated guess. For the last several years, the series has kicked off in mid-to-late November, usually on a Sunday night around 9 PM.

So, mark your calendars for Sunday, November 15, 2026—that’s my bold prediction. If history is any guide, ITV likes to start right after the Remembrance Sunday weekend, and the 15th fits that sweet spot like a well-worn pair of hiking boots. You can bet your last pack of Digestives that Ant and Dec will be cracking jokes within the first ten minutes.

Why This Date is Basically a National Holiday

Let’s be real: the I’m a Celeb start date is more important than your dentist appointment or that awkward family dinner. It marks the beginning of three weeks of pure, glorious chaos—where D-list celebrities eat kangaroo testicles and argue about firewood. The show is the ultimate escape from reality, which is why we obsess over the date like it’s a secret treasure map.

Remember when the show started on a Monday in 2020? The world nearly lost its collective mind because it disrupted the sacred Sunday ritual. ITV learned their lesson, and now they’re probably chiseling “November 15” into a stone tablet somewhere in the jungle. Trust the pattern, my friend—it’s as reliable as a campmate crying after eating a witchetty grub.

What About the 2025 Season? Hold Your Horses!

I know you’re thinking, “But wait—2025 hasn’t even happened yet!” And you’re right, which is why predicting 2026 feels like guessing the weather in a swamp. But here’s a hilarious truth: ITV sometimes announces the date just two months before the show, leaving us to obsess over meteor showers and lunar cycles. It’s like they enjoy the suspense almost as much as seeing a contestant scream at a spider.

Full I’m a Celeb 2025 cast: the 10 stars in the ITV line-up

One surprising fact: the show never starts on a Saturday, because apparently, prime-time Saturday is reserved for talent shows and reruns of Antiques Roadshow. So if you hear rumors of a Saturday launch, politely ignore them and pour yourself another cup of tea. The jungle gods demand a Sunday debut, and they are not to be angered.

How to Survive the Wait (Without Eating Insects)

Until November 2026, your mission is simple: practice your celebrity impressions and stockpile snacks that require no utensils. I recommend practicing the “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here!” scream in your mirror—trust me, it’s therapeutic. Also, start a betting pool with friends on which contestant will cry first; it adds a layer of high-stakes drama to your life.

Pro tip: don’t bother asking your spouse what date the show starts. They’ll give you a blank stare while you explain the nuances of the Bush Telegraph. Instead, just mark November 15, 2026 as a recurring event on your phone with a wallpaper of a kangaroo wearing a crown. You’re welcome.

When does I'm A Celeb 2026 start

What If the Date Changes? Panic Mode!

Now, let’s talk about the most terrifying scenario: ITV doesn’t start on November 15. Could they push it to the 22nd? Or worse, December? That would be like Christmas arriving without presents—a total betrayal of our expectations. But calm down, because the show’s schedule is tied to ratings wars with other networks, and they love competing for the “Sunday night crown.”

In 2026, BBC might air a big drama, or Netflix could drop a dodgy documentary about crocodiles. ITV will likely stick to the 15th just to spite them. And if they don’t? Well, you can always blame the pandemic, the weather, or a celebrity meltdown that requires emergency scheduling. We’ll survive—probably.

The Bottom Line (No Pun Intended)

So, to answer your burning question: I’m a Celeb 2026 likely starts November 15, 2026, at 9 PM on ITV. Save the date, set your alarm, and tell your boss you’ll be “working from home” that week. It’s the only reality show where you can laugh at celebrities suffering in the rain while you’re cozy under a blanket—and that’s a beautiful, chaotic gift.

Now go practice your best Aussie accent and stock up on insect repellent. The jungle is calling, and it’s probably asking if you’ve brought any chocolate. You haven’t, have you? Classic.