For millions of British families, Saturday nights have become synonymous with the thunderous excitement of Gladiators. Since the BBC rebooted the iconic show in 2024, it’s pulled in a staggering five to eight million viewers per episode, cementing its place as a staple of weekend television. But this weekend, fans—especially parents with eager young viewers—are in for a shake-up.
According to Daily Mail, the BBC announced a major change to the Gladiators schedule. On Saturday, February 14, 2026, the fifth episode of the current series will air at 8:00pm, more than two hours later than its usual 5:45pm slot. The reason? BBC One is broadcasting the highly anticipated FA Cup fourth round tie between Aston Villa and Newcastle United, with coverage beginning at 5:30pm and kickoff at 5:45pm. As a result, Gladiators has been pushed back to accommodate the live football event—a move that’s sure to disrupt many family routines.
And that’s not the only change on the horizon. The following week, on February 21, the show will air at 7:15pm, again due to sports coverage, this time for the Six Nations rugby match between Wales and Scotland. The BBC confirmed, "On February 14, if the football finishes in 90 minutes, Gladiators will air at 20:00. On February 21, Gladiators will air at 19:15." (Daily Mail)
For parents, this later slot poses a dilemma. With Gladiators running a full 60 minutes, the new times mean young fans might have to stay up past their usual bedtimes just to catch the action live. As Mirror notes, many are now scrambling to adjust their plans or risk missing out on what’s become a family tradition. Fortunately, there’s a workaround: episodes will be available to stream from 4:00pm the day of release on BBC iPlayer, offering a lifeline to those who prefer to stick to their usual routine.
The timing couldn’t be more critical for fans of the show. This weekend’s episode marks the final heat of the third series—a pivotal moment as contenders face off for the last remaining spots in the quarter-finals. Next week, the competition heats up even further as the all-important quarter-finals begin. As Radio Times teased, "Bradley and Barney Walsh host the last round of the heats. With five brutal events and the dreaded Eliminator to conquer, only the toughest will secure one of the last places in the quarter-finals. There is controversy on Crash Course, Apollo returns to the Duel podium, and Mark Clattenburg gets a new and not so helpful assistant referee."
For those who haven’t tuned in since the 1990s, the rebooted Gladiators retains the core appeal of the original: everyday people going head-to-head with a roster of larger-than-life professional athletes in a series of high-octane physical challenges. Hosted by Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, the show’s infectious energy and dramatic contests have made it a hit with a new generation of viewers. As Bradley Walsh put it, "Seeing the Gladiators push themselves, seeing the Contenders push themselves, the crowd going wild, and doing it all with Barney by my side is just brilliant. We have an absolute blast every time we’re in the arena." (Radio Times)
This season, the show has introduced new challenges like 'Destruction'—where two contenders try to smash through four eight-foot barriers while outlasting a Gladiator—and 'Everest,' a head-to-head battle of strength set 31 feet above the arena floor. There’s even a nod to the past with the return of some original challenges from the 1990s series.
The Gladiators themselves have become celebrities in their own right. This year’s lineup includes Cyclone (Lystus Ebosele), Hammer (Tom Wilson), Bionic (Matty Campbell), Electro (Jade Packer), Phantom (Toby Olubi), Viper (Quang Luong), Comet (Ella-Mae Rayner), Athena (Karenjeet Kaur Bains), Abre (Sheli McCoy), Apollo (Alex Gray), Dynamite (Emily Steel), Diamond (Livi Sheldon), Fury (Jodie Ounsley), Steel (Zack George), Giant (Jamie Christian Johal), Fire (Montell Douglas), Nitro (Harry Aikines-Aryeetey), and Legend (Matt Morsia). But not all is smooth sailing for the team.
In a twist that’s left fans both concerned and entertained, Gladiator Legend—real name Matt Morsia—recently suffered a nasty injury during training. As reported by Daily Mail and Mirror, Legend appeared on the show with his arm in a sling, explaining, "Unfortunately, I've damaged my bicep tendon and I’m going to be out for a little while." He added, "I'll be honest, I'm pretty devastated. Devastated for you guys because everyone knows you literally only come here to see me. It is obviously very frustrating not being able to take part in the events, mainly because we did testing this morning and even with one arm I'm still easily the strongest Gladiator."
Despite the setback, Legend isn’t bowing out completely. In what can only be described as classic Gladiator spirit, he’s donning the famous striped shirt and joining Mark Clattenburg’s team as a new assistant referee. As NationalWorld describes, "The cocky Gladiator wasn’t going to let a little injury stop him from being the star of the show, as he donned the famous striped shirt and joins Mark Clattenburg’s team as the new assistant ref." Clattenburg, a former professional football referee, adds a new dimension to the show, bringing his own brand of authority (and perhaps a little controversy) to the proceedings.
It’s not just Gladiators feeling the ripple effects of the BBC’s sports coverage. Other flagship shows, including Morning Live, BBC Breakfast, and Casualty, have also seen their schedules shifted. Casualty, which typically airs at 8:30pm, will be bumped to a 9:45pm slot on February 15, 2026, making for a late night for its loyal viewers.
For long-time fans, it’s a reminder of Gladiators’ enduring appeal. The original series aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, with a brief revival on Sky in 2009, but the current BBC incarnation is by far the most successful in decades. With its blend of nostalgia, athletic prowess, and family-friendly drama, it’s no wonder the show has found a new audience in the streaming era. And with episodes available on BBC iPlayer, no one has to miss out—even if Saturday night plans take an unexpected turn.
As the quarter-finals approach and the competition reaches fever pitch, one thing’s for sure: whether you’re tuning in live or catching up on iPlayer, Gladiators remains the ultimate test of strength, strategy, and showmanship. The schedule may have shifted, but the excitement is as electric as ever.