Gladiators is returning to the BBC with a supersized season and a celebrity special for 2026, as show bosses tease "high-octane action" ahead.
The next series at Sheffield Arena will feature numerous returning Gladiators in the form of Apollo, Athena, Bionic, Comet, Cyclone, Diamond, Dynamite, Electro, Fire, Fury, Giant, Hammer, Legend, Nitro, Phantom, Sabre, Steel, and Viper.
Ready to showcase their strength and power against contenders in a series of challenges, the group will be supervised by Bradley and Barney Walsh, as the father-and-son presenting duo return for their third series as hosts.
Hailed as a "hotter than ever" season, Gladiators will also see more celebrities trying their hand at the physically demanding tests in a starry special episode.
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The first BBC Gladiators celebrity special featured special guest contenders Ellie Taylor, Louise Minchin, Rob Beckett and Joel Dommett. Contestants for the new celebrity special are yet to be announced.
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"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," said the BBC's head of entertainment Kalpna Patel-Knight.
"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!"
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"We have been absolutely blown away by the reception Gladiators has received from families up and down the country," said Dan Baldwin, who's managing director of Gladiators co-producers Hungry Bear Media.
"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!"
"Gladiators is such an iconic and well-loved show, we are all delighted to see it capturing the imagination of BBC audiences," added Dom Bird, who's senior vice president of Gladiators co-producers MGM Alternative.
"Series 3 will be a true celebration of strength, spirit, and entertainment and is already shaping up to be bigger and better than ever."
Gladiators series 3 will air on BBC One, with past episodes from series 1 and 2 available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Free tickets to attend the recordings for all Gladiators series 3 shows are available to request here.
A Gladiators arena tour will also take place in November and December 2025, with tickets for selected shows available via Live Nation. Premium packages for selected shows are available via SeatUnique.
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Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.
Her beats are horror films and period dramas, especially if fronted by queer women. She can argue why Scream is the best slasher in four languages (and a half).
