Recap | Big Brother 2026 launch: Mel Tracina welcomes 14 housemates to Bris-Vegas – The Big Brother 2026 housemates have arrived. On Monday night, host Mel Tracina rolled out the red carpet on Channel 10 for 14 new housemates, ushering them into the show’s brand-new house in Bris-Vegas.
Network 10 promised a season full of shocks, twists and surprises, and Big Brother has already delivered. According to 10, the housemates’ suitcases look so heavy because “they’re full of secrets”.
The launch follows months of build-up, from the Brisbane construction to TV Central’s report that Big Brother returns to Channel 10 on 26 October with mystery-house twists. Now the game is under way.
Secrets, twists and a $100,000 prize
This season’s twists include outside connections and an undercover brother. As 10 put it: “anything could happen this season… and anything WILL!”
Only one housemate can be crowned the winner, however, and take home the cash prize of $100,000. Some housemates also have family links to the show. Anita is the sister of two-time winner Reggie Bird, and Pam is the mum of former housemate Kieran Davidson. Meanwhile, siblings Ryan and Tahlia have entered the house together, and Tahlia hopes the others won’t work out her secret.
A rough first night in the house
Relocating can be stressful, and the move to Bris-Vegas has not gone smoothly. Several things were delayed in the move, including everyone’s beds, the diary room chair and the running water.
As a result, the housemates are sleeping on the floor. In the words of 10, the housemates “were floored”.
Meet the Big Brother 2026 housemates
Here are the 14 housemates who entered the house on launch night, in alphabetical order:
Anita, 47, TAS
Travel advisor Anita is full of surprises. When she isn’t skateboarding or solo travelling, she has been known to take a mannequin on a road trip around Australia. She also has a family connection to the show: her sister is two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird.
Austin, 22, QLD
Austin is a 22-year-old chippy who works every day alongside his dad and brother in the family business. He is bringing classic young tradie energy into the house.
Charity, 29, NSW
Charity grew up as one of 13 siblings, so sharing a house with strangers should be a breeze. She sums up her life with three F’s: family, faith and fun.
Ebony, 23, VIC
Self-made entrepreneur Ebony is a boss in every sense and isn’t afraid to say so. She knows her strong opinions may rub people the wrong way, and as far as she is concerned, that is their problem.
Harmon, 29, QLD
IT salesman Harmon is a jack of all trades, from mining crypto to podcasting. He grew up in a strict immigrant household, calls himself a professional pot-stirrer and is ready to cause some chaos.
Heath, 23, QLD
Engineering student Heath may seem like a golden retriever in human form, but behind the charming smile is a strategic mind that is always ticking. He is super social and can turn small talk into a genuine connection.
Kyrah, 25, NSW
Secondary Drama and English teacher Kyrah knows how to command a room, and you will hear her before you see her. She is academically razor-sharp, endlessly disorganised and full of random facts.
Marshy, 24, SA
Andrew, aka Marshy, is Toyota’s reigning forklift salesman in Australia. The self-described “Italian Jason Momoa” hopes to charm the nation with his gift of the gab and his growing collection of budgie smugglers.
Matthew, 37, VIC
Property investor Matthew believes his huge personality is his superpower and has no plans to tone it down. If things get heated, he can break out some breakdancing moves to ease the tension.
Matty, 39, WA
Matty describes himself as the “textbook Aussie bogan” and loves it when people underestimate him. In fact, he holds a Mining Engineering degree and an MBA, and is quick-witted and always up for a laugh.
Pam, 62, SA
Pam is this season’s oldest housemate: outspoken, full of life and fiercely competitive. She may also have an edge on strategy, as she is the mum of former housemate Kieran Davidson.
Pheobe, 26, QLD
Self-appointed court jester Pheobe is a natural entertainer. Behind the jazz hands, though, is a self-aware, ABBA-obsessed young woman with terrible luck in love. Could Big Brother find her “A Man After Midnight”?
Ryan, 27, NSW
Garden-centre manager Ryan has the mouth of a tradie and the heart of his Nonna, and can make anyone feel like family. That makes sense, because his sister Tahlia is in the house with him.
Tahlia, 25, VIC
Taking the show’s name literally, Tahlia has entered the house with her brother Ryan. With a dry sense of humour and a knack for making friends, she hopes to win over the house before anyone clocks her secret sibling.
How to watch Big Brother 2026 live
Fans can watch the action unfold around the clock. A dedicated live Big Brother channel is available now via LG Channels on select LG Smart TVs. According to 10, the channel extends its partnership with LG in Australia.
The live feeds are also streaming 24/7 on 10. The housemates are settling into their new digs now, so viewers can follow every move between episodes.
Big Brother continues Monday to Friday at 7.30pm and Sundays at 7pm on 10. Who will win? That is for Australia to decide.
For more TV Central coverage, listen to the Mike Goldman Big Brother podcast. To watch the live feeds, visit 10.