The Rookie season 8 will premiere in 2026 (and here's when we could expect it)

We do have to start with the disappointing news that The Rookie season 8 won’t premiere until 2026. Well, it feels like it’s disappointing at first. When you consider that it means no breaks in the schedule when it arrives, then it’s actually good news.

The Rookie season 7 was also delayed to the midseason, but it worked out great for the series. Fans were tuned in each week, because the continuous programming allowed us to really get invested in the story. We didn’t have to suddenly remember what had happened weeks earlier. So, it’s sure to be a great thing for The Rookie season 8, and the wait for it isn’t going to be too late into 2026.

THE ROOKIE - “The Good, The Bad, And The Oscar” - John and Harper work together to catch Oscar; Angela investigates a bank robbery; Lucy and Tim learn to adapt to her new schedule, and Miles’ first date takes an unexpected turn. TUESDAY, MAY 13 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Mike Taing) ERIC WINTER, LISSETH CHAVEZ, DERIC AUGUSTINE, MELISSA O’NEIL

The Rookie season 8 is sure to premiere in January 2026

We’ll likely only have to wait until January for the new season. ABC will still want the finale to air in May, and we know that, like with season 7, there’s likely to be 18 episodes to the season. So, that means we have 18 to 20 weeks to fill. Look, there will be at least one break because of politics, which always seems to take over Tuesday nights in January.

With all this in mind, we’re likely to see The Rookie season 8 premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 6. This is assuming that the finale will air on Tuesday, May 12 and that there will be one week off for politics.

THE ROOKIE - “Mutiny And The Bounty” - The team helps Skip Tracer Randy when his new love interest is kidnapped. Meanwhile, Angela and Nyla enlist their moms to help catch a con artist, and Wesley is threatened to drop a case. TUESDAY, MAY 6 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Mike Taing) ERIC WINTER, DERIC AUGUSTINE, RICHARD T. JONES, NATHAN FILLION, FLULA BORG

What to expect in The Rookie season 8

So, while we wait, it’s time to speculate on what we could see in the new season. Of course, a certain lawyer is sure to cause problems for the LAPD. Monica managed to find a way to cut a deal with the FBI. That means she’s out, but how long for? The deal will only stand against the charges she was currently facing, so if they catch her doing something new, then she should be sent down. The problem is she’s a smart woman and tends to know how to stay out of dodge.

Meanwhile, Oscar is still out on the run. He told Nolan that Monica was the one to get him out, and we’re sure to see the two of them team up now that they’re both free. Oscar will also likely want to get back at Nolan again, considering Nolan and Harper destroyed his plans.

Lucy and Bradford were almost back together in The Rookie season 7, and there is hope that we’ll see their relationship back on track in season 8. Bradford poured his heart out to Lucy, but she fell asleep without hearing it all. Will he be able to understand why she fell asleep, or will he retreat back into himself again?

The Rookie season 8 will likely premiere in January 2026 on ABC.

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