Everything you need to know about Love Island 2026
Series 13 kicks off tonight!
It's been the highlight of the Summer since 2015, and the Winter since 2020, and despite now having 12 series, it appears there's no signs of ITV2 show Love Island slowing down, with series 13 upon us!
Kickstarting the careers of the likes of Molly-Mae Hague, Wes Nelson, and 2021 winners Mille Court and Liam Reardon, the 2025 series resulted in a new Queen and King, in the form of Toni Laites and Cach Mercer. As we count down the hours until the 13th series, here's everything you need to know...
What is Love Island?
Love Island is a reality TV show which airs on ITV2. The hit show, which is filmed out in Mallorca, has been running since 2015, with 12 amazing series so far.
In January 2024, the show's first ever All Stars series aired for five weeks, with series two airing in January 2025. A third series of All Stars started on Thursday 15th January 2026, finishing on Monday 23rd February 2026.
When does Love Island start?
The 13th series will kick off at 9pm on Monday 1st June. In May, ITV/STV released the first look trailer for the new series, alongside the caption: 'It's coming home... ❤️🏝️'.
Then, on Saturday 16th May, bosses shared another promo video with host Maya Jama hyping up fans for the new series.
Who are the Islanders?
The Islanders were unveiled by bosses on Tuesday 26th May, featuring the likes of Lorenzo, Mica, Sean and Ellie.
Check out the 2026 Islanders below:
Lorenzo
Age: 28
Job: Business Owner
From: Hertfordshire
Lorenzo said: "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…"
Mica
Age: 21
Occupation: Student
From: Barbados (lives in London)
Mica said: "I do not want a really egotistical, cringey man. That's not my vibe at all. I can't have someone who's more into themselves then they are me. They need to be obsessed with me."
Robyn
Age: 21
Job: Quantity Surveyor and DJ
From: Liverpool
Robyn said: "Finding love is my only goal. There may be a little bit of drama but I'm going in there for myself so I've got to do what I've got to do. But I would like to think I'm a girl's girl and that I handle situations quite well. I've got a mature brain."
Sean
Age: 25
Job: Primary School Teacher
From: Galway
Sean said: "I'm here for love but also here for drama. I won't be getting involved in it, I might be mixing it!"
Ellie
Age: 24
Job: Real Estate Videographer
From: West Lothian
Ellie said: "I want to find love but if drama comes from that then so be it. I want love and I'm not going to not fight for it."
Samraj
Age: 25
Occupation: Model
From: Birmingham
Samraj said: "Best case scenario I'm walking out with someone I really connect with. My first girlfriend. But I don't mind a bit of drama, it's fun! As long as no one is getting hurt."
Sam
Age: 25
Job: Electrician
From: Dudley
Sam said: "I definitely want to find love. I've had a good year being single and dating, but I'm at a stage now where I want to settle down and find the love of my life."
Lola
Age: 28
Job: Detective
From: Kent
Lola said: "I'm not overly into drama to be fair, I'm such a chilled person. I do like watching it but I don't want to be a part of it. I'm really looking for love, I want a boyfriend again. I want to find someone who is actually the love of my life, like obsessed with me kind of thing. I think I'm missing someone who is obsessed with me!"
Angelista
Age: 24
Job: Nurse
From: Staffordshire
Angelista said: "Finding love is my goal. I'm not here for drama, I'm non-confrontational. It's entertaining to watch from the sidelines, I just don't want to be involved in it!"
Ope
Age: 27
Job: West-End Performer
From: Lincolnshire
Ope said: "I'm not here for the drama and I want to find love, however the drama could be funny. I love the 'watching with a telescope, ooh what's going on, sip the tea' kind of vibe. I'm not here for the drama…but I'm here for the drama."
Jasmine
Age: 27
Job: Fashion Business Owner
From: Dubai (lives in London)
Jasmine said: "Straight for the goal. Life's too short to play it safe, that's boring. You don't go on Love Island to play it safe."
Aidan
Age: 23
Occupation: Property Broker
From: Kent
Aidan said: "Finding love is definitely the goal. That said, I do enjoy a bit of drama. I probably wouldn't get fully involved but I'd definitely be listening, taking it in - maybe stirring the pot a little bit."
How to apply for Love Island?
Applications for series 13 of Love Island are now open!
If you fancy spending your summer in the sun trying to find love, then we suggest you apply for Love Island!
The ITV website states: 'ITV2 are looking for vibrant singles from across the UK who want to head to the sun, in search of love. The chosen cast will spend time in a luxury villa, getting to know one another, but to remain in paradise they must win the hearts of the public and their fellow Islanders who ultimately decide their fate on Love Island.'
You can apply for Love Island right here.
Who hosts Love Island?
On 22nd August 2022, Laura Whitmore shocked fans as she shared the news that she will not be returning to host further seasons of Love Island.
Announcing the news on her Instagram page, she wrote: 'Some news! I won’t be hosting the next series of Love island. There are certain elements of the show I’ve found very difficult that cannot be changed some due to the format, including the flying back and forth to South Africa along with my new conflicting projects.
'I wish it was still possible but know you’ll be in safe hands. I was only planning to fill in for Caroline for a series and it turned into 3 series.
'I hope I did you proud Caroline ❤️'. (sic)
Then, on Wednesday 12th October 2022, after weeks of rumours, ITV bosses confirmed Maya Jama would be taking over as the new Love Island host.
Sharing a video to social media of Maya scrolling through the rumoured stories about herself, the post read: 'The post read: 'Okay, the rumours are true 😉 Say hey to your brand-new #LoveIsland host @mayajama! 💘'. (sic)
Maya said: “I’ve always been such a massive Love Island fan and I’m so excited to be hosting one of the nation’s favourite shows! I can’t wait to get into the Villa to meet all of the Islanders.”
Director of Reality Programming & Acquisitions and Controller, ITV2, ItvBe & CITV, Paul Mortimer said: “Finding a new host to follow the wonderful Laura Whitmore was never going to be easy. In Maya Jama though, we have another high profile fan of the show who’ll be a great addition to the Love Island family. Cool, charming and charismatic, I speak for us all when I say Maya will also bring a unique presenting style to the show, as did Laura and, of course, the very much missed Caroline Flack. We’re very pleased to have her on board.”
Maya received rave reviews during the Winter series between January-March, and returned for the Summer series, as well as both Love Island: Games and Love Island: All Stars. She also returned for series 11 in 2024.
In December 2024, rumours began to swirl that Maya would be stepping down from her role in 2025 - with reports suggesting that Maura Higgins was set to take over. Maya, however, shut down rumours on her Instagram Story, confirming it was 'fake news' and she had 'no plans to leave right now'.
Who hosted Love Island in the past?
Maya Jama is the current host of Love Island.
Laura Whitmore hosted Love Island from 2020-2022.
The late Caroline Flack hosted the show between 2016-2019.
What channel is Love Island on?
Love Island airs on ITV2 and ITVX/STV Player.
What time is Love Island on?
Love Island airs at 9pm, with a few exceptions.
What is Casa Amor?
Casa Amor is a second villa which features on Love Island. Usually, either the boys or girls will go and stay in Casa Amor for a number of days, where they are met by five brand new bombshells.
At the time same time, whoever is left in the main villa are also met by new bombshells.
Casa Amor 2025 will kick off on Sunday 6th July for series 12.
In the summer 2024 series, Casa Amor kicked off on Sunday 30th June, with the girls heading over to the infamous villa after enjoying a trip out for cocktails. The Casa Amor recoupling took place on Thursday 4th July.
In 2022, the infamous second villa Casa Amor kicked off on Friday 1st July, with the first teaser arriving during the episode on Thursday 30th June.
Six brand new girls entered the main villa, whilst six brand new boys joined the original girls in Casa Amor.
The Casa Amor recoupling took place on Thursday 7th July, which turned out to be the most shocking recoupling in the show's history.
Casa Amor returned for Winter Love Island in 2023, causing more drama, and again during the Summer series in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Casa Amor doesn't feature in the All Stars.
Who's the Love Island voiceover guy?
Allow us to introduce you to Iain Stirling; possibly the funniest fella on telly. He's also the husband of former Love Island host Laura Whitmore.
What is the prize for winning for Love Island?
A cool £50,000, with each Islander getting a massive £25,000 each.
Although the first seven series of Love Island featured the split or steal twist, bosses decided to scrap the twist in 2022.
Where is the Love Island villa?
The Love Island villa is situated in Mallorca, 10 minutes away from the old villa in Sant Llorenc des Cardassar.
The villa is around 60 minutes away from Palma.
The first six series of Love Island took place in Mallorca, with the Winter edition in 2020 being filmed in Cape Town, South Africa.
READ MORE: Love Island villa gets glam makeover ahead of series 13
What is Love Island: All Stars?
After years of rumours about a potential All Stars series, ITV bosses confirmed the show on Tuesday 5th September, revealing old Islanders would return in early 2024!
All Stars started Monday 15th January, with 12 Islanders confirmed for the launch show. The final took place on Monday 19th February, with Molly Smith and Tom Clare being crowned the winners.
Series two then aired in early 2025, launching on Monday 13th January. The final took place on Monday 17th January, with Gabby Allen and Casey O'Gorman winning the show.
Series three started on Thursday 15th January, with the likes of Millie Court, Belle Hassan and Scott van-der-Sluis taking part.
Check out the ultimate guide of Love Island: All Stars right here.
What is Love Island Games?
Love Island Games was the first confirmed spin-off show, featuring former Islanders from series across the world. Maya James hosted the first series, which kicked off in November 2023.
The show was renewed for a second series, starting on 16th September 2026, this time with Ariana Madix as the host.
Filmed out in Fiji, Love Island Games has Scottish comedian Iain Stirling as the voice-over.
Find out all you need to know about Love Island games right here.
Love Island's support protocols
Ahead of the new series in 2023, bosses released their updated Duty of Care Protocols, which featured a number of changes.
One of the main changes is that all Islanders will have their social media accounts paused whilst in the villa, to protect both themselves and their families from 'the adverse effects of social media'.
Islanders will also receive guidance and training around mutually respectful behaviour in relationships ahead of entering the villa, as well as care pre filming, filming, and aftercare.
Check out the full Duty of Care Protocols revealed for Love Island.
Love Island vote
Voting is completely free on Love Island, all you have to do is download the app! Although voting is not open every day, voice-over Iain Stirling will let viewers know when, and what to vote for during the show.
Why is Love Island not on TV on a Saturday?
Despite sitting down six nights of the week, Love Island doesn't air on a Saturday night, leaving viewers gutted. BUT NOW, in news that has left us shocked to core, 2017 winner Kem Cetinay has revealed the reason why.
Speaking on This Morning, Kem revealed the Islanders actually get a DAY OFF from filming, where they can leave the villa so the cleaners can go in.
Kem said: "They give you one day off. You get one day off per week. What happens is, it gives them a day to clean the villa, and you take your mics off, and normally we go to the beach."
As Holly Willoughby and former host Phillip Schofield appeared shocked, Kem added: "So what happens is, when you take your mic off, you are not allowed to talk about anything to do with the show, you have to talk about home life.
"You are being watched by the producers, because they don't want you to talk about what is going on. They are quite careful about what you talk about, because they want to keep it so everyone at home can see it."
How do I follow Love Island on Instagram?
They're over @loveisland
Which Love Island couples are still together?
We aren't going to lie, not many couples from the last nine series have made it! But it's not all doom and gloom, some are still very much loved-up from series one-seven.
Whilst some have gone on to have Love Island babies, the likes of Jess Shears and Dom Lever, Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen, and Cara de la Hoyde and Nathan Massey have all got married.
READ MORE: The definitive guide to which Love Island couples are still together
How can I re-watch old episodes of Love Island?
ITV announced that every single past episode of Love Island would now be available to stream on ITVX and STV Player.
That's 12 series to binge, as well as Love Island: Games and Love Island: All Stars.
Which Love Island stars have had babies?
A lot of past Islanders have now started families, either with their Love Island partner or with somebody else.
Series three stars Camilla Thurlow and Jamie Jewitt announced they'd welcomed a baby girl called Nell Sophia Jewitt in 2020, with series five winner Dani Dyer giving birth to a baby boy called Santiago in 2021.
Love Island 2019 stars Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury welcomed baby Bambi in 2023.
READ MORE: Check out all of the former Islanders who've welcomed babies.
Who has won Love Island in the past?
So far, 13 different couples have won Love Island between 2015-2025.
As well as this, two couples won Celebrity Love Island back in 2005 and 2006, with Molly Smith and Tom Clare winning the All Stars series in 2024, and Gabby Allen and Casey O'Gorman winning in 2025.