THE APEX TIMES
FX Sets Monday, August 17 Premiere for Season 18 of ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,’ With 10-Episode Run
The comedy returns with a expanded 10-episode Season 18, moving from the eight-episode pattern used in its prior three seasons.
FX has scheduled the Season 18 premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for Monday, August 17, with the episode set to debut at 9 p.m. ET on FXX and FX. The series will also be available that night on Hulu, and it will stream internationally on Disney+.
The network is bringing back the long-running comedy for what it describes as an expanded slate. Season 18 will consist of 10 episodes, an increase over the eight-episode seasons used in the show’s previous three installments.
FX’s announcement positions the return around the same time window typically used for the series’ original broadcast cycle, with the debut planned for late evening hours. The premiere timing is listed as 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT for the first episode.
In addition to the U.S. television premiere, FX and Hulu will handle same-day streaming access for the Season 18 launch. Disney+ will carry the series internationally, aligning global distribution with the premiere date set for August 17.
The expanded order continues the show’s established release rhythm, but with a longer run than the eight-episode seasons that preceded it. FX did not indicate additional episode counts beyond the 10-episode figure for Season 18 in the announcement.
For viewers, the practical change for Season 18 is the increased number of episodes across the season’s full release arc. With 10 episodes, audiences can expect the season’s storylines to span more weeks than the prior eight-episode structure would have allowed.
FX and its distribution partners will begin rolling out Season 18 starting with the August 17 premiere, after which the remaining episodes will follow the network’s standard schedule for the season.
The Season 18 premiere date announcement also reiterates the show’s continuing role in FX’s comedy lineup and its ongoing presence across linear and streaming platforms, with the same program distributed through FXX, FX, Hulu, and Disney+ internationally.
Why It Matters
- The August 17 premiere date sets a clear start point for audiences and advertisers planning around the show’s seasonal return window.
- The move to a 10-episode season changes the amount of time viewers will spend with the series during the Season 18 run compared with the prior eight-episode framework.
- Same-day availability on Hulu and international streaming on Disney+ reflects the show’s multi-platform distribution model for release weeks.
- A longer season can affect programming and scheduling decisions for FX and its streaming partners during the summer-to-fall transition period.
Key Facts
- FX scheduled the Season 18 premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for Monday, August 17, 2026.
- The Season 18 premiere is set for 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. PT) on FXX and FX.
- FX says Season 18 will have 10 episodes, expanding from the eight-episode pattern used in the show’s previous three seasons.
- The Season 18 premiere will be available on Hulu the same day.
- Disney+ will stream the series internationally for Season 18.
- FX’s announcement ties the U.S. premiere and streaming availability to the August 17 launch date.