when does the rookie return in 2026

The Rookie is scheduled to return with Season 8 on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Quick Scoop

For those searching specifically for “when does The Rookie return in 2026” , the key details are:

• The Rookie Season 8 premiere date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

• Time slot: 10 p.m. ET on ABC in the U.S.

• It returns as part of ABC’s early-2026 lineup, following Will Trent and High Potential on the same night.

Schedule context

• ABC has positioned the show as a midseason return in early 2026 rather than a traditional fall launch.

• Entertainment outlets and TV news sites consistently report the same January 6, 2026 date, which confirms this is the current official plan rather than just speculation.

Fan and forum buzz

• Fan forums and Reddit threads reflect frustration about the long wait but also excitement about having a firm 2026 premiere date.

• Viewers are using the extended hiatus to organize rewatches and theory discussions, especially after a big Season 7 cliffhanger teased in news coverage.

TL;DR: The Rookie returns in early 2026—mark your calendar for January 6 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.