Gladiators BBC: is Gladiators on today and start time? BBC schedule explained

• Gladiators fans could get caught out this weekend.
• The show will not be on when you normally would expect.
• But when can you expect it to be on today?

A major change to the TV schedule could catch out Gladiators fans this weekend.

The BBC has shaken-up its plans today (February 14) due to a mixture of FA Cup and Winter Olympics coverage. It has resulted in some big Saturday evening favourites being moved around.

Gladiators is among the shows that have been reshuffled - and fans could risk missing it. The schedule change is the first disruption to the show since the new series began in January.

A Leeds Rhinos player wowed audiences after taking part as a contender seven days ago. Learn more about her here.

But when can you expect it to be on this weekend? Here’s all you need to know:

Is Gladiators on TV today?

If you sit down this evening and switch on BBC One expecting to watch the latest round of action from Gladiators might get caught out. The Beeb will be showing Newcastle United’s trip to Aston Villa in the FA Cup in the show’s usual slot.

Viewers may think the show might be taking a week off, however, that is not the case. The family-favourite programme will actually be on later than usual tonight (February 14).

The show is set to start at 8pm this evening, it has been confirmed. Gladiators will run for around an hour, finishing at 9pm.

If the start time is too late, the latest episode will be available on demand via BBC iPlayer. All of the previous episodes are also on the platform as well.

Who are the presenters on Gladiators?

Once again, the 2026 series is hosted by father-son duo Bradley and Barney Walsh. They will be overseeing all the action as challenges take on the eponymous Gladiators.

Viewers will recognise Bradley from The Chase, Doctor Who, Coronation Street, and more. Speaking about the new season, he said: “I love the sheer energy of it. Gladiators is big, loud, and proper family entertainment - there’s nothing else like 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.”

Alongside appearing with his dad in Gladiators and other shows, Barney has also had roles in Law and Order: UK, Casualty, and Doctors. On the new series, he said: “I absolutely love everything about it - the Contenders giving it their all, the Gladiators going full throttle, and the crowd in the arena are always absolutely buzzing.

“Being part of that, and doing it alongside my Dad, makes it really special. It’s loud, fun, and just a brilliant show to be part of.”

Who are the Gladiators in 2026?

Plenty of familiar faces are returning to the arena for this new season of Gladiators. It includes:

• Apollo
• Athena
• Bionic
• Comet
• Cyclone
• Diamond
• Dynamite
• Electro
• Fire
• Fury
• Giant
• Hammer
• Legend
• Nitro
• Phantom
• Sabre
• Steel
• Viper

How does the new event work for 2026?

Destruction is fast and fierce, pitting two Contenders against one Gladiator in a no-holds-barred race of raw power. The battle? Each player charges down their own lane, facing four gigantic 8ft barriers, the first to smash through and slam the final button wins.

The four brutal barriers must be conquered differently: some smashed through with sheer body power, another obliterated with a battering ram, and one conquered by climbing.

No tricks or shortcuts. Just strength, speed and total Destruction. What have you made of the new event?

Learn more about the Leeds Rhinos player who appeared on the show last weekend. See how she got on during her time on Gladiators.