Short answer: The Walking Dead universe is returning this year — The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 is scheduled to premiere on AMC and AMC+ on Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Release and which shows return

  • Dead City Season 3 — premieres July 26, 2026 on AMC and AMC+.
  • Daryl Dixon Season 4 — expected later in 2026 (reported as returning in the fall/winter window), though AMC’s exact date for that season was not confirmed in the sources.

Casting and notable returns

  • Dead City Season 3 brings back the Maggie–Negan storyline (Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and is reported to feature other legacy characters returning.
  • Set photos and reporting indicate additional familiar faces (for example, Beth Greene has been mentioned in set reports) may appear in forthcoming TWD installments.

Context and related announcements

  • AMC has been expanding the franchise with multiple spinoffs and tie-ins this year, including video-game tie-ins and other productions, which helps explain the staggered release schedule across summer and fall/winter.
  • Coverage around June 2026 emphasizes Dead City’s July debut as the next confirmed TWD return; other spinoffs have season windows but not all final premiere dates.

Short timeline (illustrative)

  1. July 26, 2026 — Dead City Season 3 premieres (AMC / AMC+).
  1. Fall–Winter 2026 — Daryl Dixon Season 4 expected (date TBA).
  1. 2026 onward — additional spin-offs, guest returns, and crossovers reported or rumored as the franchise continues.

What this means for fans

  • If you want the next confirmed TWD episode drop to watch, mark July 26, 2026 for Dead City Season 3.
  • Expect more announcements (exact dates, guest stars) from AMC in the weeks before the fall/winter launches.

Summary TL;DR

  • The next confirmed Walking Dead return: The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 3 — July 26, 2026 on AMC and AMC+.

Bottom note
Information gathered from public reporting and entertainment coverage available online.