Filming has kicked off for The Block 2026 and we’ve already got our first sneak peek of the contestants.
Here’s what you can expect from the newest season of The Block when it hits our TV screens later in the year.
We’ll continue to update this article as we learn more about the 22nd season of The Block.
Jump to each section
- Where is The Block 2026?
- Who are the contestants?
- When is The Block filmed?
- When will The Block be on TV?
- When is the auction?
- Who are the judges?
- What happened to last season’s unsold homes?
Where is The Block 2026?
The Block 2026 will be in Victoria’s Mount Eliza. Channel 9 bought the 1.35ha development site at 109 Old Mornington Road for a reported $11m in August 2025.
The site was previously purchased for $2.8m in 2007.
As of August, it appeared that Channel 9 had secured six of the blocks on the site, with four more remaining for sale until September. It is expected that The Block will lease the remaining sites.
The proposed plans for the site are similar to an artist’s impression show in The Block’s first promotion for the season, so it appears as if the 2026 season will feature brand new homes for just the second time in the show’s history.
The Block has retained the ultra-modern vision from the original plans. Pictures: realestate.com.au/buy and Channel 9
The median house price for Mount Eliza was $1.68m as of March 2026, although The Block houses usually sell for far over the median house price. Mount Eliza is approximately one hour from Melbourne.
Who are the contestants for The Block 2026
With filming underway we’ve got our first sneak peek of the contestants for The Block 2026.
This year it looks like we’ve got five couples ready to take on The Block, including one team who showed up for day one of filming in cowboy hats.
Read more: The Block 2026 contestants revealed. First pictures of the cast
The five teams taking on The Block 2026 get their first look at the site. Picture: Media Mode
When is The Block filmed?
The Block 2026 started filming on 9 March and is expected to continue for 12 or 13 weeks based on previous seasons.
In a letter distributed to nearby residents, obtained by the Herald Sun, Nine said power tools would operate between 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 7am to 3pm on Saturdays, with traffic management in place along Old Mornington Rd during construction. A 3pm tools down on Saturdays could mean that the teams are in for some of their shortest timelines ever.
When will the next season of The Block be on TV?
We expect that The Block 2026 will premiere on TV in the last week of July. Last year the premiere was on the last Sunday of the month, which will be 26 July 2026.
When will the auction be for The Block 2026?
The Block auction is usually the first weekend of November, this means that we can expect the auctions to be aired on TV on Sunday 1 November 2026.
Who are the judges on this season of The Block?
There is no change to the judges this year with interior designer Shaynna Blaze, real estate agent Marty Fox and interior designer Darren Palmer all returning for the 2026 season.
The judges are back for 2026. Picture: Supplied
Scott Cam will once again host with Shelley Craft, while Foreman Dan Reilly will return with special appearances from his wife, Dani.
Are the teams renovating or building homes this year?
For the second time in the show’s history, the teams will be building brand new homes.
Are you interested in building your own dream home? Check out our dedicated New Homes section.
Like last year, this means some strict on-site requirements for the teams, with no living on site and no all-nighters like previous seasons.
The teams are once again building brand new homes. Picture: Facebook
What happened to the homes that didn’t sell last year?
2025 was a disastrous season for The Block with two homes failing to sell. Both homes are still languishing on the market almost six months later, with critics noting that the reserve prices set by Channel 9 were far higher than comparable properties in the area.
Despite being favourites, contestants Emma and Ben were forced to sell their family home after their Block house failed to meet the reserve and the pair left empty handed after months of hard work.
Han and Can’s property also failed to sell at auction.
Almost six months on, contestants Can and Han, as well as Ben and Emma are yet to see any money from their stint on the popular TV show. Picture: Channel 9
When are the reserve prices for The Block homes revealed?
The 2026 Block season could be in for a major change if the Victorian government passes legislation that will require real estate agents to disclose reserve prices seven days before an auction.
Traditionally, the reserves for The Block have remained a secret even to contestants until the day before the auction, with the general public only finding out once the finale goes to air.
This is in addition to proposed legislation to make vendors pay for building and pest inspections that was announced in March.
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