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.
