Game of Thrones 2026: Every Release Date for Sky & Max UK

The wait is finally over. If you stayed up until 3:00 am yesterday, 19 January 2026, you have already witnessed the beginning of a new era in Westeros. The premiere of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms marks the start of the most significant year for the franchise since the original series concluded. But 2026 brings more than just new episodes; it brings a fundamental shift in how UK viewers will watch them.

For the first time, fans have to navigate a changing landscape. We have the intimate, ground-level storytelling of Ser Duncan the Tall airing right now, the promised “fire and blood” of House of the Dragon Season 3 arriving this summer, and the historic launch of the Max streaming service in the UK this March.

This isn’t just another release calendar. This is your essential survival guide to Game of Thrones 2026. Below, we break down the confirmed UK air dates, the future of the franchise on Sky versus Max, and what George R.R. Martin has officially “greenlit” for the year ahead.

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The 2026 UK Episode Guide

The first spin-off to truly diverge from the epic scale of its predecessors has arrived. Based on George R.R. Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, this series offers a refreshing change of pace. There are no dragons here, just a hedge knight and his squire wandering the Riverlands.

Weekly 3:00 AM Simulcast vs. 9:00 PM Broadcast

If you are a veteran of the Game of Thrones fandom in the UK, you know the drill. Sky Atlantic continues its long-standing tradition of the simulcast.

• The Die-Hard Slot (3:00 AM GMT): This broadcast airs simultaneously with the US premiere on HBO. It is the only way to guarantee you avoid spoilers on social media the next morning.
• The Prime Time Slot (9:00 PM GMT): For those who value sleep, the episode repeats the following evening on Sky Atlantic.

Viewer Tip: From my experience covering the franchise since 2011, the “Monday Morning Spoiler” risk for Dunk and Egg is lower than for the flagship shows. The stakes are personal, not global. If you miss the 3 am slot, you can likely browse Twitter safely until the evening broadcast, something I would never recommend for House of the Dragon.

Full Season 1 Release Calendar

This season is tighter and more focused, consisting of six episodes. This mirrors the structure of the original novella, The Hedge Knight. Here is the confirmed schedule for Sky Atlantic and NOW:

Why This Spin-off is Renewed for Season 2 Already

You might hesitate to invest in a new show, fearing cancellation. You can rest easy. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter in November 2025, HBO renewed the series before the first episode even aired.

This early renewal stems from the source material. Martin has published three novellas in this series: The Hedge Knight, The Sworn Sword, and The Mystery Knight. The plan is straightforward, adapt one novella per season. This structural clarity allows the production team to map out filming for late 2026 immediately, ensuring we won’t face the two-year gaps typical of the dragon-heavy shows.

When is House of the Dragon Season 3? (Summer 2026 Updates)

While we enjoy the adventures of Dunk and Egg, the question on everyone’s mind remains: When does the war continue? Following the dramatic cliffhanger of Season 2, HBO has confirmed that Game of Thrones 2026 will include a second massive release.

The June/July Window: What Casey Bloys Confirmed

Casey Bloys, the CEO of HBO and Max Content, has officially pinned House of the Dragon Season 3 for a Summer 2026 release. Historically, HBO targets the “Emmy eligibility window” (which usually cuts off in late May), but given the VFX-heavy nature of the Dance of the Dragons, a June or July premiere is most realistic.

This timing is strategic. It allows A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms to dominate the winter conversation, gives subscribers a few months to breathe, and then hits them with the blockbuster spectacle in the summer.

Production Status: From Post-Production to Season 4 Confirmation

Filming for Season 3 wrapped late last year. Currently, the show is deep in post-production. The sheer number of dragon battles required for this phase of the civil war, specifically the Battle of the Gullet, means the visual effects teams are working around the clock.

George R.R. Martin stated on his “Not a Blog” that the story will likely require four full seasons to complete. With Season 3 arriving this summer, we can expect official news on the fourth and final season shortly after the premiere.

The “Max” Transition: How to Watch Game of Thrones in the UK

This is the most confusing aspect of being a UK fan in 2026. For over a decade, Sky has been the exclusive “Home of HBO.” That relationship is evolving.

Sky Atlantic and NOW: The January-March Roadmap

For the run of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, nothing changes. You will watch it exactly where you always have:

• Sky Q / Sky Glass / Sky Stream: Channel 108 (Sky Atlantic).
• NOW (formerly Now TV): Via the Entertainment Membership.

The March 2026 Max Launch: What Happens to Your Subscription?

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is launching its standalone streaming service, Max, in the UK this March. Previously, industry experts feared this would mean HBO content leaving Sky.

However, a landmark deal signed in late 2025 has secured continuity for fans.

Here is what you need to know:

• Sky Cinema Customers: You will likely get access to the “Max” app (with ads) included in your subscription, similar to how Paramount+ is currently bundled.
• Exclusive Rights: Sky retains the rights to first-run HBO shows. This means even when Max launches, House of the Dragon Season 3 will still premiere on Sky Atlantic.
• The Library: The Max app will become the destination for the deep library of Warner Bros. content, potentially including 4K versions of Game of Thrones that were previously limited on NOW.

My Advice: Do not cancel your NOW Entertainment membership yet. Until the Max app is live and the integration with Sky credentials is confirmed day-one, Sky Atlantic remains the safest ticket to Westeros.

[Sky Group Official Statement on WBD Partnership 2026]

Aegon’s Conquest: Big Screen Movie or HBO Series?

Rumours regarding Aegon the Conqueror have swirled for years. In 2026, the project has taken a definitive shape.

Mattson Tomlin, the scribe who worked on The Batman Part II, is actively developing this project. The fascinating twist for 2026 is the format. Early reports suggested a TV series, but recent industry chatter from The Hollywood Reporter indicates discussions about a feature film that could lead into a series.

This “cinematic universe” approach is new for HBO. While there is no release date set for 2026, we expect a director announcement this year. The story would cover the original Targaryen conquest of Westeros, Balerion the Black Dread, Vhagar, and Meraxes burning the Seven Kingdoms into submission. It is the prequel to all prequels.

Other Westeros Projects: The 2026 Status Report

George R.R. Martin famously said there were “dozens” of concepts in development. In 2026, the herd has been thinned. Here is the current status of the other spin-offs:

• Ten Thousand Ships (Princess Nymeria): Active Development. Writer Eboni Booth (a Pulitzer Prize winner) is currently drafting a pilot. This focuses on the Rhoynar migration to Dorne.
• The Sea Snake (Corlys Velaryon): Animation. Originally a live-action idea, this has shifted to animation. This format allows for the depiction of exotic locations like Yi Ti without a bankrupting budget.
• The Golden Empire (Yi Ti): Animation. Still in early concept stages.
• Snow (Jon Snow Sequel): Shelved. While Kit Harington pitched the idea, HBO has officially paused development as of 2026, citing a lack of the right creative spark. It is not dead, but it is certainly sleeping.

Conclusion: Your 2026 Westeros Checklist

2026 is a spoil of riches for fans. We have gone from the “Long Night” of waiting years between seasons to a calendar packed with content.

We start the year in the mud and rain with Dunk and Egg, grounding us in the struggles of the smallfolk. We will end the summer in the skies, witnessing the devastating dragon warfare of the Targaryen dynasty.

Your Action Plan:

1. Watch A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms every Monday on Sky/NOW through February 23.
2. Monitor your Sky account in March for the Max app activation details.
3. Prepare for the House of the Dragon trailer, likely dropping in late spring.

The world of Ice and Fire is expanding. Whether you are streaming via the new Max app or sticking to the trusty Sky Atlantic broadcast, one thing is certain: Winter has come and gone, and the dragons are here to stay.

FAQs

What time does A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms air in the UK?

New episodes air weekly on Mondays at 3:00 am GMT on Sky Atlantic and NOW, with a repeat broadcast at 9:00 pm GMT the same day.

Is House of the Dragon Season 3 coming out in 2026?

Yes, HBO has confirmed a Summer 2026 release window for the third season.

When does HBO Max launch in the UK?

The Max streaming service is scheduled to launch in the UK in March 2026.

How many episodes are in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Season 1?

The first season consists of six episodes, adapting the first novella, The Hedge Knight.

Can I watch Game of Thrones on Max in the UK yet?

Not yet. Until the service launches in March 2026, Sky Atlantic and NOW remain the exclusive homes for the franchise.

Is the Jon Snow sequel series still happening in 2026?

No. The project is currently shelved and is not in active production for 2026.

Who is playing Dunk and Egg in the new series?

Peter Claffey stars as Ser Duncan the Tall (Dunk), and Dexter Sol Ansell plays Prince Aegon V Targaryen (Egg).

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Hello, I'm Mohammed Saad is the founder of UKblogspot.co.uk. I'm a digital marketer and content writer with 2 years of experience, focused on creating helpful, well-researched content on diverse topics for a UK audience.

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