when does the bachelor start 2026
Rayan Khaled
The Bachelor ( will not air a new season in 2026. Instead, Season 30 is officially scheduled to premiere on Sunday, March 21, 2027, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Why The Bachelor Skipped 2026
- Franchise Hiatus. ABC placed the entire Bachelor Nation franchise on an 18-month reset following behind-the-scenes restructuring and the abrupt cancellation of Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of The Bachelorette just days before its planned March 2026 debut.
- Delayed Filming Schedule. Rather than filming in the fall for a January premiere as it has in past years, production for Season 30 is slated to begin in early 2027 ahead of the spring launch.
What to Expect for Season 30
- The New Lead. ABC officially announced on November 13, 2026, that 27-year-old NFL quarterback Sam Hartman will star as the Season 30 Bachelor.
- New Time Slot. The milestone season moves from its traditional Monday night broadcast to Sunday nights, with episodes available to stream the next day on Hulu.
- Other Franchise Shows. According to reports from TV Insider and Parade, no new seasons of The Bachelorette, Bachelor in Paradise, or The Golden Bachelor aired during the 2026 television calendar. Bachelor in Paradise is expected to return for Season 11 in summer 2027.