The Bachelor: Season 26
Following an emotional and tear-stained exit from season 18 of “The Bachelorette,” Clayton Echard steps into the role of “The Bachelor” for season 26, kicking off the series’ landmark 20th year.
Season 26 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Bachelor Season 25.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
Following an emotional and tear-stained exit from season 18 of “The Bachelorette,” Clayton Echard steps into the role of “The Bachelor” for season 26, kicking off the series’ landmark 20th year.
Episode Guide
Season 26 Progress Shield
Week 1
Jan 3, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton Echard's journey to find love kicks off; 31 women arrive and try to make a good first impressions for the man they hope could be their future husband; a shocking franchise
Week 2
Jan 10, 2022 · 90 min
In the group date, Hilary Duff enlists the help of the ladies to throw a dream Beverly Hills birthday party; Amanda Jordan performs for Clayton and his one-on-one date; Ziwe stops
Week 3
Jan 24, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton confronts one of the women about a shocking rumor involving her; Kaitlyn Bristowe pays a surprise visit, leading an emotional date where Clayton and the women bravely open
Week 4
Jan 31, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton tries to help Shanae and Elizabeth settle their dispute; a Texas-style family barbecue is followed by a musical performance by country band Restless Road; special guests Jo
Week 5
Feb 7, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton and one lucky woman head to Galveston, Texas, for a high-stakes date; Clayton learns the cause of the palpable tension in the house is really one woman; those on a group da
Week 6
Feb 14, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton must decide between Genevieve and Shanae; the journey to find love heads overseas to Hvar, Croatia, where one woman reveals a shocking secret; the rest of the ladies battle
Week 7
Feb 21, 2022 · 90 min
Sarah is intent on finding out which of the ladies tried to take her down; the group travels to Vienna, Austria; Clayton and the women have an intimate couples' therapy session; on
Week 8
Feb 28, 2022 · 85 min
Clayton visits the hometowns of his final four women to meet their families and immerse himself in each of the ladies' lives.
The Women Tell All
Mar 7, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton's former flames reunite to hash out their differences, clear up any misunderstandings and apologize -- or not -- for bad behavior; a few special surprises and bloopers.
Week 9: Fantasy Suites
Mar 8, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton and the three remaining ladies travel to Iceland, where they each enjoy passionate dates; one woman's questions send Clayton reeling.
Week 10 Part 1: Season Finale
Mar 14, 2022 · 90 min
After a heartbreaking and unexpected breakup with Susie, Clayton finds himself questioning everything as he heads into the rose ceremony; Clayton drops devastating news on the fina
Week 10 Part 2: After the Final Rose
Mar 15, 2022 · 90 min
Clayton faces the three women he fell in love with; Jesse Palmer guides emotional conversations throughout the evening as the bombshell conclusion to Clayton's season plays out.