When Is I'm A Celebrity 2026 Starting

Alright, grab a cup of tea (or a kangaroo testicle—no judgment), because we need to talk about the most important question of 2026: When is I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! starting? You know the drill—we’ve all been huddled in our living rooms, watching celebs eat witchetty grubs and argue about firewood, wondering when our next dose of jungle chaos will arrive. So, let’s put on our safari hats, pretend we’re Ant and Dec for a moment, and break this down with a laugh or two.

Mark Your Calendars (With a Pencil, Because, You Never Know)

The general rule of thumb for I’m a Celebrity is that it kicks off in November, specifically mid-to-late November, like a festive bonus before the Christmas pudding hits. For 2026, we’re looking at a start date of Sunday, 15th November 2026—yes, that’s a Sunday, because the show loves to make us wait a whole extra day for the premiere. But hey, it’s a weekend, so you can binge-watch without guilt.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Simon, is that confirmed?” Well, it’s not yet written in stone—or should I say, not yet carved into a jungle tree trunk—but ITV typically sticks to this pattern like glue. They’ve done it every year since the show moved to Australia (except for those pesky pandemic years, which we don’t talk about). So, 15th November is your safest bet, unless a crocodile eats the schedule.

Why So Late? The Science (Sort Of)

You might wonder why they don’t start in, say, October, when the weather is still decent. The answer is simple: ratings, baby. ITV saves I’m a Celebrity for the winter slump, when we’re all fed up with rainy days and ready to watch Z-list celebrities suffer instead. Plus, it’s the perfect lead-in to Christmas—nothing says “holiday cheer” like watching a soap star eat a fermented egg.

Also, the show needs time to cast the most random collection of humans you’ve ever seen. One year you get a former athlete, a Love Islander, and a politician who’s clearly lost a bet. That takes months of negotiations and bribing agents. So, be patient, my friend—the chaos is coming.

The Two-Week Countdown: What to Expect

If history repeats itself (and it always does, like Ant and Dec’s jokes), ITV will start dropping teasers in early November. You’ll see mysterious silhouettes in the jungle, hear dramatic music, and suddenly realize you’re emocionally invested in a countdown clock. Around 1st November, the official line-up will leak—usually via a celebrity accidentally tweeting from their own account. Then, the guessing games begin.

I'm A Celebrity 2026: Meet the contestants - The Australian Women's Weekly

Pro tip: Do not try to predict who will be on the show. I once bet my mate a tenner that a retired tennis player would be in, and we ended up with a magician who ate a tarantula. The universe loves surprises.

The Big Night: Live from the Jungle (And Your Sofa)

On Sunday, 15th November 2026, at 9 PM sharp (British time, naturally), Ant and Dec will emerge from a helicopter, look at the camera, and say something like, “We’re back!” Then, you’ll watch a parade of famous-ish faces descend into pure madness. Plan your snacks accordingly. I recommend a bowl of crickets (just kidding—get a pizza).

And don’t forget: the first episode is always two hours long, because ITV knows you have nothing better to do on a Sunday night. You’ll meet the campmates, watch them scream at a snake, and then wonder how you ever lived without this show. It’s a beautiful cycle.

Two more familiar faces land I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here

What If They Change the Date? (Spoiler: They Probably Won’t)

ITV has a habit of sticking to the script—the only variable is if a meteor hits the jungle or if Ant and Dec decide to retire (please, no). In 2025, they started on November 17th, which was a Sunday. In 2024, it was November 17th too. See the pattern? 2026 will likely be the same. So, you can set your alarm, mute all social media, and avoid spoilers like they’re a bad rash.

And if, by some miracle, they start a week earlier? You’ll be pleasantly surprised. If it’s a week later? More time to hone your grub-eating face in mock preparation. Either way, you win.

The Best Part? We’re All in This Together

Let’s be real—I’m a Celebrity is not art. It’s a glorious, messy, bug-filled circus where we laugh at rich people crying over a cold shower. And that’s beautiful. So, mark your calendar for 15th November 2026, stock up on tea and biscuits, and prepare for the most ridiculous three weeks of television you’ll ever love.

And here’s the uplifting part: no matter how bad your day is, someone is about to eat a kangaroo anus on live TV for your entertainment. That’s a level of commitment we can all appreciate. So, grab your remote, invite your mates (or your dog—he won’t judge your snacking), and get ready to yell, “Get me out of here!” alongside them. Because in the end, the jungle is a reminder that life is absurd, hilarious, and best shared with others—even if those others are covered in ants. See you in the jungle, champ. 🦘🌴