Love Island 2026 kicks off tonight with a bang, with host Maya Jama revealing a new twist that will ‘rock the villa’.
For the first time in history, the hit ITV show will kick off at night, with 12 new sexy singles ready to bring the heat with an exclusive welcome party under the stars.
After spending their first night in the luxurious abode, Maya makes a surprise return to announce that there is a huge twist on the horizon, which will be revealed at the end of Monday’s launch episode.
The series opener will kick off with the islanders making their entrance and introducing themselves, with viewers set to learn that some of the cast have been single their whole lives, one Islander can speak four languages, and one Islander gets a mock arrest by a former detective.
While they are sitting around the Sundeck, it’s time for the highly anticipated arrival of the night – host Maya.
Walking over to the contestants, she says: ‘The night is still young, so who fancies playing a little party game to kick things off?’
Love Island 2026 kicks off tonight (June 1) with a bang as Maya Jama reveals a new twist that will ‘rock the villa’
For the first time in history, the hit ITV show kicks off after the sun sets with 12 new sexy singles ready to bring the heat with an exclusive welcome party under the stars (pictured Ope and Lola)
Maya then quizzes the islanders with a series of questions with plenty of drama and shocking revelations.
She then begins the coupling-up process, and this time they’re doing things differently…
After a big twist is revealed, Maya then asks: ‘Are you gonna play it safe, or will you step outside of your comfort zone for the right person?’
In true Love Island style, things get interesting from the get-go with several Islanders vying for the same person.
Maya urges them: ‘Just remember you are all here to find the one, so don’t be shy.’
After much consideration, the first six couples are formed, but some are left happier than others.
The islanders are then left with the rest of the evening to get to know each other better.
But in the morning, as they waste no time getting their graft on, Maya arrives outside the villa to reveal a secret twist that will ‘completely rock the villa.’
After the islanders make their entrances and introduce themselves, viewers will discover that some of the cast have been single their whole lives (pictured Sean)
Ellie and Sam seen arriving in the villa
Aidan and Mica embrace each other as they arrive
Robyn and Samraj turn heads as they walk into the villa
Lorenzo and Angelista arrive together
it’s then time for the highly anticipated arrival of the night – host Maya Jama
After a big twist is revealed, Maya then asks: ‘Are you gonna play it safe, or will you step outside of your comfort zone for the right person?’
This year, the villa has also been given a multi-million-pound revamp, and is filled with designer goods and more beds than ever before, making room for more bombshells to shake things up.
Islanders are excitedly waiting in the wings to enter the villa where they will be filmed for the next eight weeks and live in very close quarters, which is sure to cause tension among the new singletons.
The villa is located in the middle of nowhere, with single-track roads leading up to the front gate, which is guarded by security to keep trespassers out.
Upon arrival, the islanders will stride along a wooden walkway through a giant chrome heart to enter their new home, where they will have access to an array of designer clothes and their choice of double bed, which will be shared on the first night with their new partner.
Speaking to the Daily Mail from the Mallorca villa, producers Amanda Stavri and Lewis Evans said: ‘There are more beds, and with more beds comes more bombshells!’
And if contestants hit it off and are looking for some alone time away from their fellow islanders – but still very much on camera – to spice up their romance, they can head to the glamorous hideaway.
It has been given a fresh makeover, with baby pink and teal walls, gold accessories, and its own outdoor terrace with a sexy swing and plunge pool, perfect for romantic dates.
TV producers will fill the Hideaway wardrobes with sex toys and lingerie, guaranteeing saucy action beneath the sheets.
Love Island has collaborated with eBay again as the series sponsor to fight against fast fashion and provide the contestants with pre-loved clothing.
And inside the bright blue dressing room is an impressive wardrobe, with Prada, Dior and Louis Vuitton handbags, as well as stylish heels and trainers.
This leads to their beautifying boudoir, where Islanders get glam with the help of luxury hairdryers and an endless supply of makeup products.
The dating show returns on Monday, June 1, with a fresh batch of hopeful singles looking to find their type on paper
Elsewhere, the garden has received quite the makeover, with the famous fire pit painted blue for the new series.
The rest of the Islanders’ summer home followed a pink and green theme, with the kitchen and lounging area ready to go.
The freezer is already stocked up with Solero ice cream, which recently collaborated with host Maya, while the fridge has been stocked up with American soft drink brand Poppi.
The iconic villa has undergone many changes throughout the years and has always been based in Mallorca.
The original Love Island villa, which was used for the first two series, was situated in Santanyi, Mallorca.
And the five-bedroom villa was snapped up by a mystery buyer in March 2022.
The subsequent villa, which is still now used for shows, is located in Mallorca, in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, which is on the east coast of the island.
The villa underwent huge renovations after filming concluded for the 2022 series, and in 2024 a secret new Hideaway was revealed, which requires ‘no invite’.
It also boasts a 20m swimming pool, plush sun loungers, day beds and the famous fire pit.
There is also the famous terrace where secret chats usually take place, although this year the fencing around it has been made shorter and smaller, making it easier for the other islanders to spot what’s going on up there.
Fans of the show can even book their very own stay at the villa – but it will not come cheap.
A one-week holiday would set you back around £5,000, but anyone booking the property will have access to six bedrooms.
The dating show returns on Monday, June 1, with a fresh batch of hopeful singles looking to find their type on paper.
Maya, who has just finished filming The Celebrity Traitors, will return to host the series, and she has promised viewers there will be even more twists this year.
Love Island 2026 returns on Monday, June 1 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
LOVE ISLAND 2026: MEET THE ISLANDERS
Jasmine
Age: 27
Job: Fashion Business Owner
From: Dubai (lives in London)
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘Respectfully, what competition?’
Aidan
Age: 23
Job: Property Broker
From: Kent
His type on paper: ‘I wouldn’t say I have a strict type on paper. Personality is the most important thing for me.’
Lorenzo
Age: 28
Job: Business Owner
From: Hertfordshire
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I think drama is fun! As long as no one is crying, all is fair in love and war. It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds…’
Sam
Age: 25
Job: Electrician
From: Dudley
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘I’ve never really had to compete before, so it’ll be interesting. I know what I bring to the table, and I’m confident in what I have to offer.’
Samraj
Age: 25
Job: Model
From: Birmingham
What’s your relationship strategy? Go straight for the goal or play it safe? ‘Without sounding arrogant, in the outside world I don’t really chase that much, I’m used to girls coming to me.’
Sean
Age: 25
Job: Primary School Teacher
From: Galway
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘If I see someone I like, I’m going for it and nothing’s gonna stop me.’
George
Age: 28
Job: Professional footballer
From: Winchester
His type on paper: ‘Tanned brunettes, quite minimalist looking, not much make up, dresses really well, funny, charismatic, all of that stuff.’
Yasmin
Age: 23
Job: Recruitment Consultant
From: Kent
How do you plan to handle the competition? ‘There is no competition. I am a girl’s girl, but when it comes down to what I want, I’ll have to go for it!’
Ope
Age: 27
Job: West-End Performer
From: Lincolnshire
How do you handle the competition? ‘No one phases me. I’m so confident in my ability to just do my thing. I don’t get phased, I don’t get impersonated, I don’t get threatened.’
Mica
Age: 21
Job: Student
From: Barbados (lives in London)
Are you here for the drama, or is finding love your only goal? ‘I’ll dabble in both I feel. Obviously the whole point is finding love and that’s going to be my main goal. I’m not saying I’m going to start drama but if there is drama going on, I would obviously be a little bit nosey and want to know what’s going on.’
Lola
Age: 28
Job: Detective
From: Kent
If VAR reviewed your flirting game, what foul would earn you a red card? ‘I can be a bit of a brat, I get really hangry! If you just feed me, I’ll be alright.’
Angelista
Age: 24
Job: Nurse
From: Staffordshire
What kind of person are you hoping doesn’t walk through the villa door? ‘Someone who wants to be in everyone’s face all the time, centre of attention all the time, that’s an ick! Someone that’s obnoxious I don’t like.’
Ellie
Age: 24
Job: Real Estate Videographer
From: West Lothian
Her type on paper: ‘Simple… tall, dark and handsome. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. It’s a classic for a reason. Nice teeth, nice tattoos, partial to a blonde as well.’
Robyn
Age: 21
Job: Quantity Surveyor and DJ
From: Liverpool
In your love life to date, have you been a World Cup winner or knocked out in the first round? ‘I just feel like the right person hasn’t come yet. That’s the only reason I haven’t qualified, not because I can’t.
