If you’re anything like me, you’ve spent the last few months staring at a fungal growth on a piece of bread and having a minor panic attack. That's the power of this show. We have been waiting since 2023 to find out how HBO handles the absolute gut-punch that is Part II of the game series. Honestly, the wait has been grueling. But now that we’re finally here in 2026, looking back at the schedule or trying to catch up on the latest broadcast, everyone has the same question: what time does The Last of Us season 2 air?
It isn't just about the date. It’s about being there the second the "Previously on..." starts so you don’t get spoiled by a stray tweet or a TikTok thumbnail.
The Official Last of Us Season 2 Air Time
HBO doesn't like to fix what isn't broken. They have a "Sunday Night" slot that is basically sacred ground for prestige TV. The Last of Us season 2 airs at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. If you are a streamer, you get it at the exact same moment. Max (formerly HBO Max) drops the episodes at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.
Basically, if you’re on the West Coast, you’re eating dinner while watching Clickers tear people apart. If you’re on the East Coast, you’re probably losing sleep because the episodes are heavy. Like, really heavy.
International Watching: A Quick Guide
For those of you living outside the States, the "simultaneous release" is great for avoiding spoilers but sucks for your sleep schedule. Here is how the 9:00 p.m. ET slot translates:
- United Kingdom: 2:00 a.m. Monday on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
- Brazil: 10:00 p.m. Sunday.
- Western Europe (Portugal/Spain): 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. Monday.
- India: 6:30 a.m. Monday on JioCinema or whatever local partner is carrying it.
- Australia: 11:00 a.m. Monday on Binge.
Why the Schedule This Year is Different
One thing that kinda caught people off guard this time around was the episode count. Season 1 had nine episodes. Season 2? Only seven.
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Showrunners Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann have been pretty open about why. They aren't rushing. In fact, they’re doing the opposite. They realized that the story of the second game is so massive—and so dense with emotional trauma—that they couldn't fit it into one season without it feeling like a cliffnotes version.
So, they cut season 2 down to seven high-quality episodes to make sure the pacing felt right. This means we aren't getting the whole story of the second game yet. We’re getting a significant chunk, with a third season already confirmed to finish the job. It's a bit of a bummer if you wanted to binge the whole thing, but it’s better than them rushing through Abby’s introduction or Ellie’s descent into madness.
The 2025-2026 Cycle
The season originally kicked off its broadcast run on April 13, 2025. If you're looking for the specific air times for the repeat airings or the standard Sunday slot for the original run, here was the roadmap:
- Episode 1 ("Future Days"): April 13
- Episode 2: April 20
- Episode 3: April 27
- Episode 4: May 4
- Episode 5: May 11
- Episode 6: May 18
- Episode 7 (Finale): May 25
What Most People Get Wrong About the Premiere
There’s always this weird confusion when a big HBO show drops. People think they have to wait for the cable broadcast to finish before it hits the app. That hasn't been true for years.
The moment the clock hits 9:00 p.m. ET, that play button becomes active on Max. If you don't see it, don't panic. Just force-close your app and restart it. I’ve had many nights where I sat there refreshing for three minutes like a madman while my friends were already halfway through the cold open.
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Another misconception? That the episodes are all an hour long. HBO gives Mazin and Druckmann a lot of leeway. Some episodes might be 45 minutes; others might be 80. They’ve gone on record saying the story dictates the length, not a commercial clock.
Key Faces and New Stakes
We know Pedro Pascal is back as Joel and Bella Ramsey is Ellie. That’s a given. But the air time for season 2 is also the "air time" for some of the most controversial characters in gaming history.
Kaitlyn Dever is playing Abby. If you’ve played the games, you know why that name makes people's blood pressure spike. Then you’ve got Isabela Merced as Dina and Young Mazino as Jesse. The chemistry between Ellie and Dina is really the heart of this season, and based on the trailers, they’ve nailed that "living in a peaceful commune while the world rots outside" vibe in Jackson.
It’s worth noting that the show is adding original characters too. We’re seeing Catherine O’Hara in a mysterious role, and Jeffrey Wright is actually reprising his role from the game as Isaac. That’s a huge win for fans who wanted some continuity from the voice cast.
How to Prepare for the Airing
If you're planning on watching as the episodes drop, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the spoilers for this season are everywhere. This story has been out in game form since 2020. If you haven't played it, stay off the "The Last of Us" hashtags on Sunday nights.
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Second, check your subscription. Max has been through some changes, and you want to make sure your plan supports the resolution you want (4K is a must for those Seattle rain scenes).
Lastly, remember that this season is just the beginning of the end. With a seven-episode run, the finale is going to leave us hanging. It’s a transition season, meant to set up the brutal, sprawling war that defines the rest of the narrative.
To make sure you don't miss a beat, set your Max notifications or DVR for 9:00 p.m. ET. If you’re watching internationally, keep that time zone converter handy. It’s going to be a long, emotional ride through the remains of America, and honestly, I don't think any of us are actually ready for what's coming.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Confirm Your Subscription: Log into Max (or Sky/Binge) a day before to ensure your billing is current.
- Silence Socials: Set "The Last of Us," "Joel," "Ellie," and "Abby" as muted keywords on your social apps by 8:00 p.m. ET to avoid early leaks from reviewers or international viewers.
- Plan Your Rewatch: If you’re jumping into Season 2 now, re-watch Season 1 Episode 9 ("Look for the Light") to refresh your memory on the lie Joel tells Ellie; it is the entire foundation for the new episodes.