Get your bum to the boardroom, we finally have a release date for The Apprentice!

Lord Sugar is back in the hot seat for the 20th series, as the BBC brings the iconic business competition back in 2026. To celebrate the milestone season, a record-breaking 20 candidates will be vying for the chance to become Lord Sugar’s next business partner. This is actually the biggest The Apprentice cast since series ten in 2014. This year’s hopefuls range in age from 21 to 46, bringing a mix of fresh energy and hard-earned experience to the boardroom.

From cutthroat tasks to tense boardroom showdowns, the 20th series promises all the drama, deals and ruthless decision-making fans have come to love.

So grab your calendars, mark the dates and get ready for the full The Apprentice release schedule — because you won’t want to miss a single power move.

When will The Apprentice 2026 start?

The first episode of The Apprentice will premiere on Thursday, 29 January at 9 pm, kicking off the 20th series in style. After that, episodes will air weekly on Thursdays, giving fans something to look forward to until the weekend.

How many episodes will be in The Apprentice 2026?

The Apprentice 2026 (Series 20) will run for 12 thrilling episodes, packed with plenty of drama as the candidates battle it out to impress Lord Sugar and secure a life-changing business partnership.

Where can you watch The Apprentice?

Episodes will be available on BBC One and iPlayer, just like previous seasons. This is home to our other favourite shows, like The Traitors and The Night Manager.

Can’t wait until the new series kicks off? Now’s the perfect time to binge-watch the previous season and get yourself in that ruthless, business-savvy headspace before Lord Sugar returns to the boardroom.

Who are the advisors to Lord Sugar in The Apprentice season 20?

He’ll be joined by Baroness Brady and Tim Campbell MBE as they girlboss their way through another tension-packed season.

Brady has been one of Lord Sugar’s trusted aides since 2010, while Campbell, who famously won the very first season in 2005, joined the team as an aide in 2022 and has held the role ever since.

Fans may remember that Campbell missed out on the recent Celebrity Apprentice two-parter due to scheduling conflicts, with Mike Soutar stepping in temporarily. But fear not, he’ll be back for this new series, ready to bring his expertise and signature business insight to the boardroom once again.

Is there a trailer for The Apprentice season 20?

Yes, the BBC has just dropped the trailer for Season 20, giving fans a first glimpse of the challenges and drama to come.

The teaser shows candidates tearing across sand dunes in buggies, scaling the steps to the Big Buddha in Hong Kong, and even squaring off against a robot in virtual reality. Plus, there’s a surprise appearance from Big Zuu.

Watch this space for more updates on The Apprentice 2026.