The Apprentice returns for its milestone 20th anniversary series on Thursday, 29 January 2026, at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Here’s how to watch The Apprentice 2026 from anywhere with a VPN — including free options in the U.K. and the best way to stream abroad.
Premiere: Thursday, January 29 |
FREE UK stream: BBC iPlayer |
This season, 20 candidates are competing for a £250,000 investment and a 50/50 business partnership with Lord Sugar.
For the first time, the boardroom moves to Hong Kong for the opening episode, and to celebrate the 20th series, the number of candidates has increased to 20, the most since 2014.
Lord Sugar is joined by his long-time aides, Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE. Tom Allen has left the companion show, which is now called The Apprentice: Unfinished Business and hosted by Angela Scanlon.
Keep reading to find out how to watch The Apprentice 2026 online from anywhere, including UK dates and where you can catch episodes for free.
How to watch The Apprentice Season 20 for free
How to watch The Apprentice season 20 from anywhere
For those away from home looking to watch The Apprentice, you’ll be unable to stream the show as normal due to regional restrictions. Luckily, there’s an easy solution.
Downloading a VPN allows you to stream geo-blocked services online, no matter where you are. It's a simple bit of software that changes your IP address, meaning that you can access on-demand content or live TV just as if you were at home. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Use one of the best VPNs to watch The Apprentice season 20 from anywhere:
How to watch The Apprentice online for FREE in the UK
As alluded to above, The Apprentice season 20 will be broadcast on BBC One every Thursday night at 9pm GMT for 12 weeks.
BBC iPlayer will also provide you access with on-demand streaming available as soon as the programme goes live on the linear channel.
Outside the UK? Access BBC iPlayer with NordVPN.
Can I watch The Apprentice season 20 online in the US, Canada and Australia?
Unfortunately, we have no word on when The Apprentice season 20 will arrive in the US, Canada and Australia. If that changes we will update you on this page.
UK viewer overseas? Anyone from the UK travelling overseas looking to watch can stream as usual by using a VPN.
What you need to know about The Apprentice season 20
The Apprentice Season 20 Trailer
The Apprentice Season 20 contestants
To mark Series 20, the cast increases to 20 candidates, the highest number since 2014. The line-up includes entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries.
Examples the BBC is leaning into include a former RAF gunner running a pet cremation business, and a mortgage broker who cites Kim Kardashian as her business role model.
Named candidates listed include:
Click to see more▼
- Andrea Cooper
- Levi Hague
- Dan Miller
- Karishma Vijay
- Lawrence Rosenberg
- Nikki Jetha
- Tanmay Hingorani
- Georgina Newton
- Marcus Donkoh
- Pascha Myhill
- Carrington Saunders
- Conor Galvin
- Harry Clough
- Kieran McCartney
- Megan Ruiter
- Priyesh Bathia
- Rajan Gill
- Rothna Akhtar
- Roxanne Hamedi
- Vanessa Tetteh-Squire
The Apprentice Season 20 FAQ's
What is the prize for the winner? The winner receives a £250,000 investment and a 50/50 business partnership with Lord Sugar.
Who are Lord Sugar’s aides this series? Baroness Karren Brady and Tim Campbell MBE both return as Lord Sugar's "eyes and ears".
Where was the series filmed? Filming took place in 2025 across locations including Hong Kong, London, the Isle of Wight, and Egypt (Red Sea).
Do I need a TV Licence to watch on BBC iPlayer? Yes. You must have a valid UK TV Licence to watch live on any channel or use BBC iPlayer.
How many episodes are in Series 20? There are 12 episodes, airing weekly on Thursdays.
Is there a companion show after the main episode? Yes. The Apprentice: Unfinished Business airs at 10:05pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, hosted by Angela Scanlon.
Will there be a Celebrity Apprentice in 2026? Yes. A full-length Celebrity Apprentice series has been confirmed for later in 2026, following festive specials that aired in December 2025.
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