Love Island Australia Season 8: Where to Watch and Who’s In the Villa

Summer has officially started on Australian television. Love Island Australia is back for an eighth season, with a fresh batch of singles, a brand-new location and a twist that brings some of the show’s most famous couples back to the villa. Since the premiere, viewers have been hunting for episode times and the latest gossip. Here we explain how to watch Love Island Australia 2026, who is in the villa, and what makes Love Island Australia season 8 different from previous years.

How to Watch

The new season premiered on Monday 26 October 2026. Episodes follow a simple schedule:

• On 9Now: new episodes drop at 10 am AEDT, Monday to Thursday.
• On Channel 9: episodes air at 8:30 pm AEDT, Monday to Thursday.

Both options are free, and 9Now lets you catch up on anything you miss, as Cybernews noted. Viewers in other time zones should adjust for local time, since the 10 am drop is based on Sydney time.

A New Home in Fiji

For the first time, the Australian series is filming in Fiji, in the villa usually used by Love Island USA. Earlier seasons were filmed in Mallorca, Spain. The tropical setting gives the show a different look and may help it feel closer to home for local audiences.

Sophie Monk returns as host, and Eoghan McDermott is back as narrator, keeping the familiar voices viewers know.

Meet Some of the Islanders

The season opened with a group of singles from across the country, with more expected to arrive as the weeks go on. According to Marie Claire Australia’s cast guide, the line-up includes Islanders from Sydney, Perth, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, Canberra and Wollongong.

Among the names attracting early attention are Jordan Kaho, whose father once led Tonga’s government as Prime Minister, and Sammi Poole, a former Miss New Zealand International who has been on Celebrity Treasure Island. As usual, bombshell arrivals are expected to shake up couples throughout the season.

The Big Twist: Power Couples

The most talked-about change is the arrival of Power Couples. Instead of the “Superfans” who helped make decisions in earlier seasons, past Love Island Australia couples will now influence what happens in the villa. The couples coming back are:

• Claudia and Austen, winners of season four
• Kale and Tyra, winners of season five
• Georgia and Nate, from season five
• Eric and Kaylah, from season six
• Kye and Yana, winners of season seven
• Connor and Isabel, from season seven

Bringing back couples who made it work outside the villa adds a fun layer for longtime fans, and could make recouplings and dumpings even more dramatic.

How the Game Works

For newcomers, the rules are straightforward. Islanders must stay coupled up to remain in the competition. Anyone left single at a recoupling risks being dumped. New Islanders can enter at any time, and the public may get a say in some eliminations. The winning couple takes home a $50,000 prize.

Tips for Following the Season

• Watch the morning drop on 9Now if you want to avoid spoilers on social media.
• Follow official accounts for voting announcements and behind-the-scenes clips.
• Be kind online. Reality stars are real people, and online abuse has been a growing problem across the franchise.

For more on what Australians are watching this summer, see our guide to Dune: Part Three’s Australian release. Our best reality TV shows on Australian streaming guide has more ideas.

Summer Romance Is Back on Screen

Love Island Australia’s eighth season brings a new location, returning favourites and plenty of opportunities for drama. Whether you watch the morning drop or tune in at night, it is easy to keep up. Settle in for the season on 9Now or Channel 9, and expect the Power Couples to stir things up.

Frequently Asked Questions