So, you’re looking for 20 Squad. I get it. We’ve all been on this rollercoaster with Hondo and the crew for years now, and frankly, it's getting a little exhausting trying to keep track of whether this show is alive, dead, or just resting. If you’re asking when is the new season of SWAT coming out, the answer is actually a lot more complicated than a simple date on a calendar.
The short version? Season 9 isn't happening on CBS.
Wait. Don’t close the tab just yet. While the original series officially took its final bow on May 16, 2025, the world of S.W.A.T. isn't exactly "gone." It's just... evolving. Or migrating. It’s kinda doing that thing where a show gets canceled so many times it develops a survival instinct.
The Weird History of Season 9 and Why It Disappeared
Honestly, S.W.A.T. is the Houdini of police procedurals. It was canceled after Season 6. Then it was brought back. Then Season 7 was supposed to be the "final" season, but the ratings were so high (we’re talking 8 million viewers an episode) that CBS basically said, "Just kidding," and gave us Season 8.
But the luck ran out in March 2025. CBS made it official: Season 8 was the end of the road for the flagship series. There were no negotiations this time. No last-minute saves from Shemar Moore’s Instagram rants (though he definitely tried). The network decided to move on, reportedly to make room for new blood like the Blue Bloods spinoffs and more FBI content.
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So, if you’re waiting for a Season 9 premiere on your local CBS station this fall, you’re going to be waiting a long time. It’s not coming. The "series finale" that aired in May 2025 was meant to be the permanent curtain call for the 20 Squad as we know it.
The Good News: S.W.A.T. Exiles is the New Season 9
Here is where things get interesting. You can’t keep Hondo down. Even though Season 9 was axed, Sony Pictures Television—the studio that actually owns the show—wasn't ready to let go of a profitable global hit.
In mid-2025, right after the original show ended, they announced a spinoff called S.W.A.T.: Exiles.
Think of it as "S.W.A.T. 2.0." It’s basically the continuation we wanted, but with a fresh coat of paint and probably a smaller budget. Shemar Moore is confirmed to return as Hondo. The "Exiles" title suggests a shift in focus, likely moving Hondo away from the traditional LAPD structure or into a more international/specialized setting. Production reportedly kicked off in late 2025 in Los Angeles.
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When will Exiles actually premiere?
Since filming started in the fall of 2025, we are looking at a mid-to-late 2026 release date.
Unlike the old days where you could set your watch by the October premiere, Exiles is being shopped to different streamers and international networks. Sony is playing the long game here. They know the fans are loyal, so they’re looking for the best home—whether that’s a streaming giant like Netflix (where the show is already a monster hit) or a premium cable outlet.
Why Does This Show Keep Getting Canceled Anyway?
It’s never about the fans. You've probably noticed that the ratings were actually great. The problem is "the economics of the business," a phrase showrunners love to use when they mean "it costs too much to make."
- Licensing Fees: CBS doesn't own the show; Sony does. CBS has to pay Sony a fee to air it. As a show gets older, the cast gets more expensive, and those fees usually go up.
- Outside Studios: Networks prefer to own their shows so they can keep all the streaming and syndication money. S.W.A.T. was like a tenant living in a house owned by a landlord (CBS) who really wanted to move their own kids into the spare bedroom.
- The Cast Shifts: By Season 8, we’d already lost Street and Luca. Keeping the "classic" feel of the show while cutting costs is a brutal balancing act that eventually just tips over.
What to Watch While You Wait
If you’re feeling that 20 Squad-shaped hole in your life, you’ve got options. All eight seasons of the original run are floating around. Netflix has the bulk of them, and Season 8 landed on Paramount+ and eventually Netflix by late 2025.
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If you’re craving that specific vibe—high-octane action mixed with social commentary—check out The Shield (which exists in the same universe, technically) or SEAL Team. But honestly, nothing quite hits like Hondo saying "Let's roll."
Your Next Steps for the New Season
Since there won't be a Season 9 in the traditional sense, you need to change your "tracking" strategy.
- Follow Shemar Moore on Instagram. Seriously. He is the unofficial PR department for this franchise. If there’s a secret update about Exiles, he’ll be the first to post a video about it.
- Keep an eye on Netflix’s "Coming Soon" section. Sony has a very cozy relationship with Netflix, and many insiders believe Exiles will eventually land there as an "Original" to capitalize on the massive audience that discovered the show during the pandemic.
- Don't delete your DVR recordings. If you’ve got Season 8 saved, hang onto it. It’s the bridge between the old world and whatever Exiles is going to be.
The 20 Squad might look different when they return in 2026, but the spirit of the show—that mix of tactical gear and heart—isn't going anywhere. It’s just taking a tactical pause.