The apprentice returns for its landmark 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 UK and the best way to stream abroad.
This season, 20 contestants 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 contestants 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, now titled 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 watch 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 apprenticeyou will not be able to stream the show normally due to regional restrictions. Fortunately, there is a simple solution.
Downloading a VPN allows you to stream geo-blocked services online, no matter where you are. It’s a simple piece of software that changes your IP address, meaning you can access on-demand content or live TV as if you were at home. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Use one of best VPNs look The apprentice season 20 from anywhere:
How to watch The Apprentice online for FREE in the UK
As mentioned above, The apprentice Season 20 will air on BBC One every Thursday evening at 9pm GMT for 12 weeks.
BBC iPlayer will also provide you with access to on-demand streaming available as soon as the program 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 don’t know when The apprentice season 20 will arrive in the United States, Canada and Australia. If this changes, we will update you on this page.
British viewer abroad? Anyone from the UK traveling abroad and wanting to watch can stream as usual using a VPN.
What you need to know about season 20 of The Apprentice
The Apprentice Season 20 Trailer
Look on it
The candidates for season 20 of The Apprentice
To mark series 20, the cast expands to 20 contestants, the highest number since 2014. The list includes entrepreneurs from a wide range of sectors.
Examples the BBC draws on include a former RAF gunner who runs a pet cremation business and a mortgage broker who cites Kim Kardashian as his business model.
Listed nominees include:
- Andrea Cooper
- Levi Haye
- Dan Miller
- Karishma Vijay
- Laurent Rosenberg
- Nikki Jetha
- Tanmay Hingorani
- Georgina Newton
- Marcus Donkoh
- Pascha Myhill
- Carrington Saunders
- Conor Galvin
- Harry Clough
- Kieran McCartney
- Megan Ruiter
- Priyesh Bathia
- Rajan Gil
- Rothna Akhtar
- Roxanne Hamedi
- Vanessa Tetteh-Squire
The Apprentice Season 20 FAQ
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 assistants in 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 in locations including Hong Kong, London, Isle of Wight and Egypt (Red Sea).
Do I need a TV license to watch on BBC iPlayer? Yes. You must have a valid UK TV license to watch live on any channel or use BBC iPlayer.
How many episodes are there in series 20? There are 12 episodes airing every week 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 Celebrity Apprentice series has been confirmed for later in 2026, following festive specials airing in December 2025.
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