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"The Apprentice" 2026 has all the usual component parts in place - diminutive and irascible host/ mentor Sir Alan Sugar, frequently astonished boardroom advisers Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, and contestants we all love to watch being told "You're fired." Bring it on...
Here's how to watch "The Apprentice" 2026 online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"The Apprentice" 2026 premieres on Thursday, January 29 on BBC One at 9 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. PT). All episodes will be also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
The nation might be experiencing "Traitors" fever but "The Apprentice" is back for a 20th season this year and a showpiece first episode in Hong Kong with a standalone season of "Celebrity Apprentice" in the pipeline for later in 2026. But first, let the volunteers for humiliation by reality TV (i.e. the contestants) meet the challenges.
This time they will include navigating Hong Kong to strike deals at knock down prices, sell live on TV, host a corporate away day on the Red Sea in El Gouna, Egypt and create a children’s story and audiobook. One contestant will eventually secure a £250,000 investment for their business idea and mentorship from Sir Alan.
Read on to find out all about this year's contestants and how to watch "The Apprentice" 2026 online, on TV and from anywhere.
How to watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 for FREE in the U.K.
How to watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 from anywhere
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "The Apprentice" 2026 should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you find yourself. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch "The Apprentice" 2026 online and on-demand.
How to watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 around the world
Can I watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 in the United States?
As yet there is no broadcast date for "The Apprentice" 2026 in the U.S.. If that changes, you'll read about it here first.
However, if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation you can catch the show for free by using a VPN such as NordVPN, choosing U.K. from the list and selecting BBC iPlayer.
How to watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 online and on-demand in the U.K.
"The Apprentice" 2026 premieres on Thursday, January 29 on BBC One at 9 p.m. GMT (3 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. PT). All episodes will be also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer.You'll need a valid TV licence, naturally.
However, if you're not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 online in Canada?
As yet there is no broadcast date for "The Apprentice" 2026 in Canada. If that changes, you'll read about it here first.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation you can catch the show on your usual domestic streaming service by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 online in Australia?
As yet there is no broadcast date for "The Apprentice" 2026 in Australia. If that changes, you'll read about it here first.
If you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'The Apprentice' 2026 in New Zealand?
As yet there is no broadcast date for "The Apprentice" 2026 in New Zealand. If that changes, you'll read about it here first.
However, in the meantime, and if you are a Brit currently there for work or vacation, you can catch the show by using a VPN such as NordVPN .
'The Apprentice' 2026 - Cast
Host
Sir Alan Sugar
The Board
Karren Brady
Tim Campbell
'The Apprentice' 2026 - Contestants
Andrea Cooper (Aged 46) - Lettings agency owner and 46-year-old grandmother who runs two businesses in Barnsley, south Yorkshire. Achieved a first-class honours midwifery degree at the age of 40 whilst running the businesses and looking after her family of five children and one grandchild. Says that if she is “crossed once then that’s it, no more chances. I am not a pushover”.
Conor Galvin (29) - Owner of a photobooth business in Cork, Northern Ireland. wants the company to become a household name and expand to London, Manchester and Birmingham. Studied medicine at university, but dropped out twice, before graduating in law and business. He said his business may be fun but he is a serious candidate who is “constantly learning the tougher side of strategy, structure and scaling”.
Georgina Newton (31) - Actress and events manager based in east London who claims to possess a “sunshine that brightens up a room and turns any negative situation into something positive”. Her business plan is to create a “touring theatrical production company specialising in the magic of pantomime” by converting a lorry into a mobile theatre. Says she is comfortable with rejection.
Dan Miller (27) -Student recruitment owner who works with some of the world’s biggest companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and Goldman Sachs after starting the business from his bedroom in Derby at the age of 17. Now based in Richmond, London, he wants Lord Sugar’s help to take his company to the next level after running it on his own for almost 10 years. Says his “whole brand and business has been built around community, giving back and opportunity”.
Carrington Saunders (23) - Owner of an online loungewear business, which she said she grew at the same time as achieving a first-class business degree. Claims “Lord Sugar hasn’t had a business partner who is enveloped so heavily in social media.” Resident of south east London, says she is “not afraid to speak my mind, stand up for what I believe in and take the lead.”
Harry Clough (27) - Financial sales manager from Battersea, south London. Says he “may sound posh, but I’ve got no dosh.” His business is a free subscription box, where food and drinks companies pay to be included providing them with the “ultimate marketing tool”. Describes himself as “bold, creative, and not afraid to take risks.”
Karishma Vijay (28) - Hails from Ashford, Surrey. Owner of a beauty brand and says she follows generations of businessmen in her family, but she is the first female. Is on programme to find a business partner and has not been a committed viewer before. Claims to be like Lord Sugar as “we both came from nothing and started from scratch” and has been supporting her whole family financially since she started earning money.
Lawrence Rosenburg (27) - PR specialist from Watford, Hertfordshire with a business plan to “reinvent public relations for the modern era, delivering smarter, faster, and more transparent PR through intelligent automation.” Claims PR is “one of the only major sectors that hasn’t undergone a meaningful tech-led transformation”. Likes to treat everyone as a friend and feels that “authenticity is the best recipe”.
Megan Ruiter (26) - Owner of a bespoke womenswear clothing brand, which has been worn by a host of famous faces. Stayed at home teaching herself to sew while her peers at university were out partying. Owns two other businesses and says she does not “know what a 9-5 job is because my work life is 24/7”.
Levi Hague (32) - Former RAF gunner and HGV driver from Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Already in the headlines for making racist and sexist posts on social media. Business specialises in personalised pet cremation urns and he wants Lord Sugar’s investment to help it become a globally recognised brand. Claims his experiences show that “anyone can turn pain into purpose”.
Roxanne Hamedi (32) - Building on expertise as a pharmacist, has started her own beauty brand specialising in combating hair loss after her own experience. With both Persian and Scottish ancestry, she now lives in Aberdeen and claims her friends would describe her as a “fiery, sassy chilli-pepper pocket rocket, charismatic, caring, unafraid of risks, and never embarrassed to be my goofy, authentic self”.
Marcus Donkoh (28) - South Londoner who wants to scale his barber shop into a global grooming and lifestyle conglomerate. Started off by cutting hair in his mum’s home, and aims for his company to have a presence in New York, Dubai and Tokyo. Describes himself as a serious businessman who loves a bit of banter at times. “All work and no play will ruin Marcus’s day,” he adds.
Pascha Myhill (21) - Recruitment consultant who wants to create her own private healthcare recruitment company. The 21 year old from Reading, Berkshire says being young gives her an advantage as she is adaptable and ready to do things differently. Considers herself a “free thinker, not always following the usual rules [who often says] the most random things without a filter”.
Kieran McCartney (26) - Estate agent for 10 years who claims sales skills make him “stand out”. Points out that other people “often describe me as a hungry, motivated, and super positive person who consistently goes above and beyond for his clients”. The east Londoner is keen to get his hands on Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment so he can establish his own estate agency.
Vanessa Tetteh-Squire (28) - Tech project manager who also has her own swimwear brand aimed at women with fuller busts. From Enfield, north London, says she is committed to pushing boundaries with her brand and empowering the women who wear her pieces. Thinks she and Lord Sugar will get on “exceptionally well, because clear communication and bold thinking are what drive success.”
Priyesh Bathia (28) - Global account manager from Harrow, north London who wants to transform his cocktail business into a national brand. Has visions of seeing his cocktail and mocktail products on supermarket shelves and expanding his mobile cocktail bar. Describes himself as “perfect mix of charm and hustle who’s confident, quick-thinking, and not afraid to get stuck in”.
Rothna Akhtar (28) - Student wellbeing advisor in east London who wants to expand her sideline bakery business. Plans to “revolutionise” the cake and wellness industry by offering interactive baking workshops and bespoke occasion cakes. Warns that her “kindness should never be taken for weakness, as I won’t let anything get in my way that limits my potential”.
Rajan Gill (30) - Pharmaceutical specialist from Medway in Kent looking for help to establish his business and wants newbuild developers to offer his media walls, TV mounting, and panelling as optional upgrades, just like flooring or kitchen choices. Says he has spent time working on freezing construction sites and is used to “both sides of business: the boardroom and the physical graft”.
Nikki Jetha (33) - Mortgage broker from Hornchurch, Essex whose role model is Kim Kardashian, a “powerhouse” and a mum like herself. Claims Kardashian has “redefined what is to be a modern-day businesswoman, proving that you can be glamourous, family orientated and the complete boss all at once. You can have it all.” Aims to build a business that streamlines the mortgage industry and claims it has taken her just four years to go from knowing nothing to becoming one of the “top mortgage advisors in the UK”.
Tanmay Hingorani (28) - 'AI product consultant who wants to create an AI-powered digital loyalty and marketing platform that revolutionises how food and drink businesses connect with customers. A seasoned chess player from Islington, north London, he says that, like Lord Sugar, he began his career selling technology and reckons their “skills would complement each other”. Claims to be “emotionally intelligent and intuitive” and able to read people and situations quickly.
'The Apprentice' 2026 - Episode guide
Season 20 Episode 01: "Hong Kong" - The series starts with a bang as Lord Sugar’s business hopefuls jet off to Hong Kong on a mission to secure nine items at knock-down prices. The teams must juggle unknown geography, tight deadlines and business basics. Lord Sugar has a few surprises in store, and in the end, there are fireworks, and firings, in the boardroom.
S20 E02: "Children's Story" - It’s once upon a time in the boardroom as the candidates create a children’s story and audiobook. One team takes on toilet humour but ends up with a stinky storyline. The others try to stand out from the herd with a zebra-themed tale, but tussles on the team threaten to stop their story in its tracks. In the boardroom, the fairy tale is over, and for one candidate, there is no happily ever after.
S20 E03 to S20 E12: TBA every Thursday
What has Sir Alan Sugar said about the landmark 20th season of "The Apprentice"?
Congratulations on reaching your 20th series. How are you feeling about that milestone?
Well, it is an amazing milestone. When we started recording this series, you start to think to yourself, ‘Wow, this is 20 years now’. What’s amazing, of course, is Tim Campbell is now one of my advisors, and he was the one that won it in the very first series, so it's full circle, in a great way. I think the programme itself brings in a new audience every year, because 20 years ago, I had nine-year-olds watching it who are now 29. And the new generation of 16-year-olds are coming in and loving it. So the audience is growing. The audience is holding up, and that's why the BBC keeps doing it.
But let's not undermine the fact that the production people are brilliant. They come up with these amazing ideas year after year, they do a hell of a lot of work behind the scenes. I take it for granted because I just turn up at, say, St Paul’s Cathedral, and all the lighting is there, everything works, it’s all done. It’s quite amazing.
Did you ever imagine when you started this that you’d be still going strong all these years later?
I never imagined back in series one that I’d still be here two decades later. I didn’t know what to expect, I recorded it and then didn’t even know what to expect when it was broadcast. It was only then that I realised that it was going to be successful.
Do you still get the same buzz walking into the boardroom now as you did on that first day?
Well, the thing is, the initial format was that the winner would get a £100,000 a year job working for me but for series seven I changed it to the winner entering into a 50/50 business of their choice with me and I would inject £250,000. That's what makes it exciting for me, even now. It’s really exciting because I'm starting from scratch again with these people and I'm teaching them what not to do and going over what it was like when I first started.
For the first time ever you have moved the boardroom out of London, what was the thinking behind that?
Yeah, in the first episode we go to Hong Kong, my old hunting ground! The thinking behind it was it's the 20th series and what can we do that's different? So I thought, ‘Well, why don't I jump on a plane and surprise them in Hong Kong?’ It’s not as if I'm surprising them in Hounslow or something like that. They didn't know I was there. They knew they were going to Hong Kong, which is fine, they've been to South Africa, they've been all over the world, we've sent them to many places. But I've never turned up. So all of a sudden they come into this boardroom and there I am. So that was a nice surprise for them. They were surprised but they weren't unhappy with it - maybe a little excited.
How would you sum up this series?
There's no one thing I can put my finger on, watch out for this or watch out for that because they're all great episodes. One of the things about the series is the way that we've adapted to modern day things like AI or computer games. We've adapted to those things but still kept the same values of buying and selling goods and looking for things. They're all great episodes. The first episode is excellent, and it was excellent because the boardroom was excellent. The events that occurred leading up to that boardroom were very, very good because there were conflicts among a couple of candidates that really played out well. And if I say so myself, I think I was very good in it!
Do you see "The Apprentice" as part of your legacy or just another successful business within your empire?
Well, I mean, it's obviously something that I will remember forever, and I suppose I will be remembered for it forever. Although Donald Trump will tell you that he gave me the job (which he did not). But to be fair, he was the first one to do it in America. But, yeah, I might be remembered for it? I don't know. I mean, that is a great achievement, I guess, to have helped so many businesses and inspired so many young people to consider business. And it's a great achievement, I think, getting to 20 series. One has to thank the BBC for continuing to invest in this great product because that's what it is.
More from Tom's Guide
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