If you’re currently staring at your TV on a Monday night wondering why there isn’t a single limo in sight, you aren’t alone. Usually, January is "Bachelor" season. We’re used to that familiar rhythm: the champagne gate, the awkward first-impression roses, and Jesse Palmer looking concerned in a dark suit. But 2026 has thrown a massive wrench into the machine.
Basically, the schedule we’ve known for twenty years just got tossed out the window.
Typically, The Bachelor starts the first or second week of January. This year? Dead silence. Instead of the flagship show, ABC is pivoting hard. If you're looking for when will the new season of the bachelor start, the answer is actually a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation. The franchise is still alive, but it’s moving in a direction no one really saw coming six months ago.
Why the 2026 Schedule Feels So Weird
ABC has decided to swap their "Bachelor" and "Bachelorette" slots for the first time in forever. Usually, the guys look for love in the winter and the ladies take over in the summer.
Not this time.
Because The Bachelorette skipped all of 2025, the network is leading their 2026 programming with The Bachelorette Season 22 instead. This means the actual milestone 30th season of The Bachelor is being pushed back. We aren't getting the traditional January premiere for the main show because they’ve handed that prime "early year" real estate to a different lead.
📖 Related: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
The Sunday Night Shift
Get ready to change your "Monday Night Wine" routine to Sundays. ABC confirmed that the franchise is moving to a brand-new night. The Bachelorette premieres on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Why the delay?
- American Idol: Ryan Seacrest and company are taking over the Monday night slot starting January 26.
- The Olympics: There’s a massive gap in February due to the Winter Games, and networks hate airing their big hitters against Olympic gold medalists.
- Production Overhauls: The show has a brand-new showrunner, Scott Teti, who took over after some high-profile exits last year. They’re basically rebuilding the car while driving it.
Honestly, it’s a lot to keep track of. You’ve got The Golden Bachelor Season 2 currently filling some of the void on Wednesday nights, but the "main" show—the one with the younger influencers and the villa drama—is in a state of flux.
When Will The Bachelor Season 30 Actually Air?
Since The Bachelorette is taking the March–May window, The Bachelor Season 30 is looking at a late 2026 start.
Historically, when the schedule flips like this, The Bachelor moves into the summer or fall slot. We are looking at a likely premiere in July or August 2026. ABC officially renewed the show for its 30th season back in June 2025, but they’ve been tight-lipped about the exact date because they are trying to see if this new Sunday night experiment works first.
👉 See also: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Who is the next Bachelor?
This is where it gets really spicy. Usually, the lead is the guy who got his heart crushed in the previous Bachelorette season. But since there wasn't a season last year, the producers are scrambling.
The rumor mill is working overtime.
One name that keeps popping up is Jason Tartick. He’s a fan favorite, he’s been vocal on his podcast Trading Secrets, and he’s recently single. Some "Game of Roses" insiders have hinted he’s the frontrunner. Others think the show might go "off-book" and cast a total stranger, similar to what they did with Matt James, or even pull someone from the TikTok world to match the casting of Taylor Frankie Paul for the upcoming Bachelorette season.
The "Secret Lives" Influence
You can't talk about the 2026 Bachelor schedule without mentioning The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. ABC/Hulu realized that the crossover between reality TV fans and "MomTok" is basically a circle. By casting Taylor Frankie Paul as the Bachelorette for the March premiere, they are trying to save a franchise that saw a 25% ratings dip during Grant Ellis’s season.
This "cross-pollination" of reality stars is why the schedule is so wonky. They are waiting for other shows to finish their runs so they can maximize the hype for the big 3-0.
✨ Don't miss: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
What You Should Do Now
If you’re a die-hard fan, don’t delete your recording schedule just yet. While we wait for the official when will the new season of the bachelor start confirmation for Season 30, here is how to stay in the loop:
- Watch Sundays in March: Tune in March 22 for the premiere of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season. This is where ABC will likely drop the first teaser for the milestone 30th season of The Bachelor.
- Check Hulu on Tuesdays: If you can’t deal with Sunday night TV, the episodes still drop on Hulu the following day.
- Follow the Mansion Makeover: While the shows are on hiatus, keep an eye on HGTV. They are literally filming a "Bachelor Mansion Takeover" series right now where they renovate the iconic house.
The franchise is clearly trying to find its footing again. Between new showrunners, a move to Sunday nights, and casting people from outside the "Bachelor Nation" bubble, it’s a weird time to be a fan. But the roses aren't gone; they’re just being refrigerated until the weather gets warmer.
Keep your eyes on the late summer 2026 window for the official Season 30 launch. Until then, you'll have to get your drama fix from the Sunday night Taylor Frankie Paul era starting this March.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official ABC press site during the first week of February, as that is when they typically announce the "Summer/Fall" production cycles for their reality lineup. You can also sign up for the Bachelor Nation newsletter which often leaks the "casting call" dates that give away exactly when filming—and thus the premiere—will actually happen.